Hackney's Gauchoworld Space faces significant resident opposition over noise and public nuisance concerns.
Hackney Council's Licensing Sub-Committee C has considered an application for a premises licence for Gauchoworld Space, located at 145 Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QR, following numerous complaints from local residents regarding noise, public nuisance, and public safety.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, heard extensive representations from the applicant, Dean George, and a significant number of local residents and responsible authorities. The core of the opposition centres on the potential for amplified music and crowd-related disturbances to negatively impact the quality of life in the predominantly residential area.
Noise and Nuisance Complaints
Residents voiced strong objections to the proposed hours for live and recorded music, which would have allowed activities from 10:00 to 23:00 daily. Numerous complaints detailed concerns about excessive noise, particularly from amplified music and bass, which residents claimed was audible in their homes even with windows closed, disrupting sleep and daily life. Issues such as litter, public urination, and crowds spilling onto the street were also frequently raised.
Several objectors expressed a lack of trust in the applicant's ability to manage events responsibly, citing past incidents and a perceived lack of engagement with the community. Residents cited past incidents
and a perceived lack of engagement with the community
as reasons for their lack of trust in the applicant's ability to manage events responsibly. Specific examples mentioned include consistent rule-breaking regarding events held without proper licensing, litter and the smell of cannabis after events, large clusters of drunk people outside on the street, and a massive illegal event
in the car park for Moy Close where the houses shook from the base.
Other cited incidents include spray-painting of logos on the pavement by the Run Club
during the Hackney Half, a builder from Dean George's team cutting off the electricity to a resident's flat for three days, and Dean George's alleged aggressive and hostile response to a resident regarding the electricity issue. Allegations of racist emails and personal attacks against Dean George by a resident were also mentioned.
The Environmental Health Authority initially recommended refusal due to numerous noise complaints. While they later withdrew their formal objection based on agreed conditions, their underlying concerns about the suitability of the location for such activities remained. The Environmental Health Authority suggested conditions including:
- A qualified Acoustic Consultant to undertake a full acoustic survey and submit a comprehensive acoustic report with recommended mitigation measures.
- Installation of a sound limiting device approved by and set to the Council's satisfaction.
- Music played at a level that ensures no nuisance is caused to residential or noise-sensitive premises.
- A customer management plan to be submitted and approved by the local planning authority.
Despite these proposed conditions and the applicant's concessions, the Licensing Authority and numerous residents expressed reservations, with the Licensing Authority noting the difficulty in sufficiently conditioning the licence to prevent undermining the licensing objectives due to the premises' location in a highly residential area.
Applicant's Vision and Resident's Concerns
Dean George described Gauchoworld Space as a cultural hub and creative space, aiming to support young creatives and independent businesses. He proposed a reduced schedule for music-led events, limiting them to Fridays and Saturdays between 18:00 and 23:00, with a maximum of three such events per month. Mr. George also highlighted community initiatives such as workshops and industry leader talks.
Mr. George elaborated on these initiatives, stating: On Thursdays we have something called our first day dropping where we invite industry leaders but from the likes of brands like Google adidas nike into our space and this is an opportunity for young people to get proximity to the creative industry which is notoriously difficult to access.
He also mentioned an event with a stylist who invited members of her community to come down who wanted to break through the industry through styling.
While not explicitly detailed on how these specific initiatives would avoid public nuisance, George stated that activities must nevertheless be age appropriate properly supervised and supported by safeguards.
He also mentioned that commercial events help fund free access for independent creators and community projects that depends on responsible management quiet departs.
However, councillors questioned Mr. George about soundproofing, toilet facilities, crowd management, and his willingness to compromise on hours and engage with residents. Residents expressed strong doubts about the effectiveness of any soundproofing, with one stating, The space is like 40 square meters with single glazed windows and, and, and the doors left open during the events... there is no way in hell that can be soundproofed out. It is so loud as in I'm like I'm sure I share a wall with that with that sound system. And unless you put like Sonos speakers in, there is no way of getting around it.
The applicant also agreed to consider having limiters on sound systems so that people can't play. To restrict the sound.
Committee Deliberation and Decision
The Licensing Authority expressed reservations, noting the premises' location in a highly residential area and the difficulty in sufficiently conditioning the licence to prevent undermining the licensing objectives. Their submission stated, It is difficult to see how we could possibly put the types of conditions that would be required that would one sufficiently promote the objectives and two allow the applicant to actually operate the premises how they want it to be a viable business.
Their recommendation was for refusal.
The committee believes the proposed activities would undermine the following licensing objectives:
- Prevention of Public Nuisance: This is the primary concern, with numerous resident objections detailing excessive noise from amplified music and bass, audible even with windows closed, disrupting sleep and quality of life. Issues like crowds spilling onto the street, litter, and public urination were also cited as contributing to public nuisance.
- Public Safety: Concerns were raised regarding crowds spilling onto the street, blocking pavements, and a general lack of regard for the residential nature of the area. The applicant mentioned learning from past crowd management problems and proposed a maximum occupancy of 50 people, with staff and security to manage the entrance and escape routes.
- Protection of Children from Harm: While not elaborated on in detail in the summary, this was listed as a concern raised by residents and responsible authorities.
- Prevention of Crime and Disorder: The police made no representations opposing the application on this ground, and the applicant stated there had been zero criminal activity on the premises since opening in August 2025.
The committee deliberated on the application, with the decision to be based on the belief that the proposed activities, given the premises' size, location, and the significant concerns raised by residents, would undermine the licensing objectives.
The committee will inform all relevant parties of its decision five clear working days after the meeting. The outcome of the application for a premises licence for Gauchoworld Space remains pending.
Other responsible authorities involved included the Police Authority, who withdrew their representation following agreed conditions, and the Licensing Authority, who recommended refusal. The Weights and Measures (Trading Standards), Planning Authority, Area Child Protection Officer, Fire Authority, and Health Authority received no representations.
Public reports pack Wednesday 07-Oct-2026 19.00 Licensing Sub Committee C
Agenda frontsheet Wednesday 07-Oct-2026 19.00 Licensing Sub Committee C