The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to consider two applications for new premises licences. The committee granted a licence for Urban Chocolatier with modified hours and conditions, and granted a licence for Silas Yard with significant modifications to the requested hours and activities, following extensive resident objections.

Urban Chocolatier, 9 Davenant Street, London E1 5NB

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Urban Chocolatier, located at 9 Davenant Street, London E1 5NB. The applicant sought to provide late-night refreshment with extended hours, proposing to be open until 1:30 AM from Monday to Wednesday and 2:30 AM from Thursday to Sunday. This was an extension of two hours on weekdays and an additional hour during Ramadan compared to their existing licence.

Representations were received from Environmental Protection, the Licensing Authority, and a local resident. Environmental Protection raised concerns about potential noise breakout from the venue, disturbance from patrons accessing and leaving the premises, and the premises' location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Area¹. The Licensing Authority echoed these concerns, noting that while there had been no previous complaints under the current licence, the proposed hours were excessive for a quiet residential street and could attract intoxicated individuals. The local resident, Morad Lasmilvi, who joined online, also objected due to potential noise disturbance from customers leaving the premises late at night, particularly as Davenant Street is a residential street where residents need to wake early for work.

The applicant's representative, David Dadds, argued that the application was for late-night refreshment, primarily involving warming waffles and serving hot sauce, not alcohol-led activities. He highlighted that the police had not objected and that the burden of proof lay with the objectors to demonstrate that the licensing objectives would be undermined. He also pointed to updated statutory guidance that encourages consideration of economic benefit and growth.

After deliberation, the committee decided to grant the licence but with modifications. The exact modifications to the hours and conditions were not detailed in the transcript, but the decision implied a compromise between the applicant's request and the objectors' concerns. The committee stated that a decision letter would be sent within five working days.

Silas Yard, 4 Ravenscroft Street, London E2 7QG

The committee also considered an application for a new premises licence for Silas Yard, located at 4 Ravenscroft Street, London E2 7QG. The applicant, Wellington Pub Company Limited, sought to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment (including live music, recorded music, dance, and indoor sporting events), and late-night refreshment. The proposed hours were extensive, with alcohol sales and regulated entertainment until 11:30 PM on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and opening hours extending to 12:30 AM on weekends.

This application attracted a significant number of objections from local residents, citing concerns about noise pollution, anti-social behaviour, traffic and parking issues, and the protection of children from harm. Many residents highlighted the premises' location on a residential street, directly opposite Ravenscroft Park and adjacent to residential buildings, including James Brine House. They referenced past issues with noise and disturbance when the premises operated as Clutch and The Ravenscroft, particularly concerning loud music and patrons congregating outside late at night.

Richard Taylor, representing the applicant, explained that the original licence had lapsed due to administrative reasons and that this was a new application to reinstate it. He stated that the applicant had removed the request for regulated entertainment, including music and dance, from the application following resident feedback. The amended application now sought only alcohol sales and late-night refreshment. He also noted that the proposed tenant, Campania, was a well-regarded local restaurant operator aiming to create a neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar. Taylor emphasised that the police and Environmental Health had not objected to the amended application and that the proposed hours were within the council's framework hours.

However, residents, including Helenka Wargon, Aiwa Okuda, Christopher Kul-Want, and Catherine Yass, continued to express strong concerns about the proposed hours and the potential for noise and disturbance, even without regulated entertainment. They argued that the premises' poor sound insulation and the street's acoustic characteristics would still lead to significant noise issues. Residents also highlighted the proximity to a children's playground and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and traffic congestion. Many residents requested significantly shorter hours, with some suggesting closing times of 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM.

The committee engaged in detailed questioning with both the applicant and objectors. Councillor Faroque Ahmed asked about the applicant's willingness to compromise on opening hours, to which Taylor responded that a significant reduction could make the venture unviable. Councillor Bodrul Choudhury questioned the potential for noise breakout and the impact on children, referencing the agreed conditions with Environmental Protection and the Police.

Ultimately, the committee decided to grant the licence for Silas Yard but with substantial modifications. The applicant withdrew the request for regulated entertainment. The committee also imposed shorter hours than originally requested, aligning more closely with resident concerns and the framework hours. Specific conditions were agreed upon regarding the use of outside areas, noise mitigation, and dispersal policies. The decision letter detailing the exact hours and conditions would be sent within five working days.

Extension of Decision Deadlines

The committee also agreed to extend the decision deadline for an application concerning Cafe La Vista at 15 Brook Lane, London E16 PU to 30 June 2026.