The Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council met on Friday 23 January 2026 to consider an application for a premises licence for Boka by Palms at The Palms Hotel. The hearing was adjourned to allow for a site visit by the committee members.

Application for a Premises Licence - The Palms Hotel (Boka by Palms)

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for Boka by Palms, located at The Palms Hotel, Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch, RM11 3UJ. The application was made by Boka By Palms Ltd and sought to license the restaurant and an external area.

During the initial stages of the hearing, a discrepancy was identified regarding the requested operating hours for late-night refreshment. The application indicated hours until 1 a.m. on Mondays to Wednesdays, while the blue notice (public notice) reflected hours until midnight. This led to a discussion about whether the consultation period needed to be reopened, referencing the Matthew Taylor case.

Further complicating matters, the committee members expressed a need for a site visit to fully understand the layout and operation of the premises, particularly given the complexity of the application and the relationship with the existing hotel licence. The applicant's representative, Sarah Clover, argued against an immediate adjournment for a site visit, citing additional costs and suggesting the hearing proceed to allow the committee to gain context before a visit. However, the committee ultimately decided that a site visit was in the public interest to ensure a thorough understanding of the application.

The hearing was adjourned to allow for a site visit, with the full hearing reconvened for 1 p.m. on 10 February 2026, following a site visit on 29 January 2026.

Representations were received from responsible authorities, including the Licensing Authority, the Police, and Havering's Environmental Health team.

The Police, represented by PC Chris Stockman, objected to the application on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance. Concerns were raised about the lack of clarity regarding the use of the outside area and the proposed hours extending beyond the council's licensing policy. The Police noted a previous serious incident at the hotel in summer 2025, which involved a stabbing and assault, and highlighted that discussions had taken place to update the existing premises licence. They expressed uncertainty about the intended use of the outside area and the adequacy of the proposed conditions.

The Licensing Authority, represented by Oisin Daly, also raised concerns, particularly regarding the external area. They noted that the proposed conditions for the outdoor area were less stringent than those for the restaurant, and that the requested hours for the outdoor area, particularly for the sale of alcohol until 2 a.m. without adequate door supervision, posed a high risk. The Licensing Authority suggested that SIA door staff might be required at a ratio of 1:100 patrons for the outdoor area after 11 p.m.

Havering's Environmental Health team, represented by Mike Richardson, echoed concerns about the terminal hours requested for the premises, stating they were not in keeping with the Council's licensing policy. While acknowledging that the A127 road provided some buffer to nearby residents, they argued that noise from customers leaving the venue after midnight could be more intrusive than traffic noise. They also proposed specific noise control measures for the outdoor area, including an automatic noise control device connected to external doors and windows.

The applicant, represented by David Morbin and their counsel Sarah Clover, argued that their operation was distinct from the hotel's events and that the proposed conditions should reflect their restaurant business model. They highlighted that the outdoor area was intended as an extension of the restaurant for dining and drinking, not as a separate event space. They also expressed concerns about the financial viability of hiring door staff if the requested hours were significantly curtailed.

The committee ultimately decided to adjourn the hearing to allow for a site visit, deeming it in the public interest to fully understand the application before hearing further representations. The hearing was subsequently reconvened for 10 February 2026.