The Islington Council Licensing Sub Committee C convened to consider applications for two new premises licences. Councillor Valerie Bossman-Quarshie was scheduled to chair the meeting. The sub-committee was to review each application, taking into account representations from the police, the council's noise service, and local residents, prior to making a determination.

Fabrica x Café, 36-40 York Way

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Fabrica x Café, located at Cottam House, 36-40 York Way. The application requested permission to provide recorded music from 7:30am to 10:00pm Monday to Friday, and to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 11:00am to 10:00pm Monday to Sunday. The proposed opening hours were 8:00am to 10:00pm Monday to Friday, and 11:00am to 10:00pm on weekends.

The report pack noted that the location is within the Clerkenwell Cumulative Impact Area¹, meaning that there is a presumption of refusal unless the sub-committee was satisfied that the licence would not have an adverse impact on the area.

This premises is located in the Clerkenwell Cumulative Impact Area therefore the Licensing Sub-Committee will need to consider Licensing Policy 3, which states that there is a presumption of refusal unless the Sub-Committee is satisfied that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives.

The application stated that the premises is a ground floor and gallery space, and that on-sales of alcohol would be for late night exhibition openings and the Christmas Market, with off-sales for select spirits, wines and beers from the Christmas market.

The council received eleven letters of representation from local residents objecting to the application. Concerns included:

• Crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Public nuisance

One resident stated that King's Cross already has a high crime rate, and that King's Cross Station recorded 230 reported crimes in the first half of 2025. Another resident raised concerns about noise and disturbance to residents of the Regent's Quarter, particularly in Ironworks Yard, Copperworks, and Keystone Crescent.

The Licensing Police agreed to the application, subject to conditions. These included the operation of a proof of age scheme such as Challenge 25[^3], the maintenance of an incident log, and the installation and maintenance of CCTV.

Basilico, 26 Penton Street

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Basilico, located at Ground Floor, 26 Penton Street. The application requested permission to provide late night refreshment from 11:00pm to 3:00am Friday to Sunday.

The report pack noted that the premises are located in the King's Cross Cumulative Impact Area, and that the business previously held a premises licence allowing the provision of late night refreshment and sale of alcohol, off supplies only, until the licence lapsed on 13 July 2021.

The council received four letters of representation from local residents objecting to the application. Concerns included:

• Public nuisance
• Crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Protection of children from harm

One resident stated that Penton Street is a predominantly residential street, and that operating until 3:00am would cause significant noise disturbance. Another resident stated that they had received the notification letter late, and that Penton Street already suffers with anti-social behaviour due to late night venues.

The Metropolitan Police agreed to the application, subject to conditions. These included the installation and maintenance of CCTV, the maintenance of an incident log, and the training of staff on relevant matters. The Council's Noise Service also agreed to the application, subject to conditions. These included ensuring that delivery drivers do not park or loiter in the vicinity of residential premises, and that delivery drivers are instructed to conduct deliveries in a manner that will not cause a noise disturbance.