Residents living near Pritchards Road have voiced concerns over a new alcohol licence application from Karma Cans Ltd, a local catering service seeking to expand its business. Karma Cans is seeking permission for the sale of alcohol from 08:00 to 23:30 Monday to Thursday, 08:00 to 00:00 Friday and Saturday, and 08:00 to 22:30 on Sundays.
The Licensing Sub Committee met on Thursday, 17 July 2025, to consider the application for the premises located at 38-50 Pritchards Road, London E2 9AP. Karma Cans, which describes itself as a corporate and events catering service specialising in healthy and sustainable food with ancillary dining and events room,
is seeking permission to sell alcohol both on and off the premises.
According to the Public Reports Pack, residents Jean Keogh and Lucy Dawkins submitted representations expressing fears that the extended alcohol licensing hours would lead to increased noise and anti-social behaviour.
Ms Dawkins wrote that she believed the extended hours would lead to increased noise, foot traffic, anti-social behaviour, and litter, and that it risked significantly impacting the quality of life for current residents. Ms Keogh raised concerns about noise pollution, given the premises' location at a heavily residential junction, suggesting limiting late openings and requiring full soundproofing.
In response to these concerns, Eccie Newton of Karma Cans wrote in a letter included in the Supplemental Agenda 1 that Karma Cans had operated on the site since 2016 and wanted to contribute positively to the neighbourhood. Given the limited nature of our proposals, we are confident that we can operate within the Council's policy hours alongside our neighbours without causing you any disturbance,
Ms Newton wrote. We will also develop robust operational management systems to address your concerns backed up by the enforceable licensable conditions proposed with our application.
During the meeting, Mr Jack Spiegler, legally representing the applicants, stated that the company was founded by sisters who pride themselves on being long-standing, independent, and community-minded local business owners. He also noted that there were no objections to the off-sales element of the application. He emphasised that the proposed hours were within the council's policy framework1 and were business-critical to facilitate a second dinner sitting.
Councillor Abdi Mohamed asked about mitigations, and Mr Spiegler responded that the applicant intends to install new glazing behind the existing roller shutter frontage and new acoustic panels to help mitigate the risk of noise outbreak. He also stated that there would be a dispersal policy to ensure that people leave the premises quickly and quietly2.
Councillor Mohamed also raised concerns about people waiting outside to be seated. Gini Newton responded that the design includes an area around the bar for people to wait inside. Sharon Alexander addressed concerns about bins, stating that the business has built special cages that are located to the right of the kitchen and that waste collections have been moved to mid-morning to avoid disrupting local residents.
Councillor Bellal Uddin asked if the client would be happy with the condition of no emptying of bottle banks to take place between 21 or 2200 hours until 0800 the following morning. Mr Spiegler responded that they would keep all bottles inside until the next day.
Councillor Ali suggested that WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) training3 should be undertaken by those with management responsibility in the premises, rather than every single member of staff. Mr Spiegler agreed with this suggestion.
The subcommittee will deliberate in a private session and the decision will be sent out by Simi Azman from Democratic Services.
1 The council's licensing policy is available on the council website: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Consumer-affairs/Registration,-certification-and-licensing/Licensing/Statement-of-Licensing-Policy-2023-2028.docx
2 Condition 7 requires the egress policy, so there will be a dispersal policy, all aimed at making sure that when people leave the premises, they do so quickly, quietly, and respect the local residents.
3 WAVE training is relevant because the police requested a condition that all staff whose responsibilities include the retail sale of alcohol shall receive WAVE training, and renew it every 12 months. This condition was agreed to by the applicant.