The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to consider two applications for new premises licences. The application for Urban Chocolatier was refused, while the application for Silas Yard was granted with conditions.

Urban Chocolatier Application Refused

The Sub-Committee refused the application for a new premises licence for Urban Chocolatier, located at 9 Davenant Street, London E1 5NB. The application sought to extend the hours for late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:30 on Monday to Thursday, and from 23:00 to 02:30 on Friday and Saturday, with similar extended hours during Ramadan.

Objections were raised by the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health (Noise) Service, and a local resident. The primary concerns centred on the Premises' location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) and the likelihood of increased noise disturbance to nearby residential properties.

Mr. David Dadds, representing the applicant, argued that the proposed hours were reasonable and that the applicant had provided no evidence of past complaints. He also highlighted that the police had not objected to the application. However, the Sub-Committee found that the applicant had not demonstrated that the extended hours would not add to the cumulative impact on the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of public nuisance. The Sub-Committee noted that Davenant Street is a predominantly residential street and that extending operating hours would likely lead to increased noise from patrons, vehicles, and delivery drivers, impacting residents.

Silas Yard Licence Granted with Conditions

The Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence for Silas Yard, located at 4 Ravenscroft Street, London E2 7QG, with several conditions. The application sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment.

Numerous objections were received from local residents, raising concerns under all four licensing objectives, including public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, and protection of children from harm. Key concerns included noise from music and patrons, increased traffic and parking issues, anti-social behaviour, and the impact on the residential character of the area.

Mr. Jonathan Taylor, representing the applicant, Wellington Pub Company Ltd, explained that the application was for a new licence because the previous one had lapsed due to tenant insolvency. He emphasised that the licence was not lost due to any review or enforcement action. The application was amended to remove the request for regulated entertainment, focusing solely on alcohol sales and late-night refreshment. The proposed tenant, Campagna, intends to operate the premises as an Italian bar and restaurant.

While residents, including Ms. Helenka Wargon, Ms. Aiwa Okuda, and Mr. Christopher Kul Want, expressed significant concerns about noise, disturbance, and the suitability of late hours in a residential area, the Sub-Committee noted that regulated entertainment had been removed. They also considered that the proposed operating hours were within the council's framework hours and that the applicant had agreed to a comprehensive set of conditions with the police and Environmental Health.

The Sub-Committee granted the licence with the hours as applied for but imposed several additional and amended conditions. These included:

• No consumption of alcohol in outside areas after 21:00 hours, with limited use for smoking.
• Patrons temporarily leaving the premises after 21:00 hours are not permitted to take drinks with them.
• All windows and external doors must be kept closed after 21:00 hours.
• Furniture in any outside area must be removed or rendered unusable after 21:00 hours.
• A prohibition on vertical drinking inside and outside the premises.
• Conditions relating to CCTV, staff training, an incident log, waste and delivery times, and dispersal policies were also included.

Extension of Decision Deadline

The Sub-Committee also agreed to extend the decision deadline for the application for Café Lavista, 15 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU, to 30 June 2026.