A Licensing Sub-Committee meeting to discuss a premises licence variation for The Coffee Place & Breakfast in Woodhouse Road, Barnet, was adjourned on Thursday, 17 July 2025, due to a lack of quorum. The sub-committee requires three members to be present to proceed with a hearing.

The meeting, convened to consider a variation application under section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 for The Coffee Place & Breakfast at 61–63 Woodhouse Road, London N12 9ET, was unable to proceed because a quorum could not be guaranteed for the hearing, according to Councillor Richard Barnes, Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

The sub-committee resolved to adjourn the meeting and reschedule the application for consideration on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, at 11:30 am, according to the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee. This adjournment delays the decision-making process for the application.

The agenda for the meeting included the appointment of the chair, declaration of interests, and a review of the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure. The hearings procedure outlines the general framework to ensure natural justice and a fair hearing, allowing each party a maximum period of 3 minutes in which to present their case.

The application seeks to vary the premises licence, including changes to licensable hours and opening hours. According to the Public Reports Pack, the applicant, Amarildo Papaj, is requesting to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol and the general opening hours of the establishment.

Specifically, Mr. Papaj is requesting the following changes:

  • Sale or supply of alcohol:
    • Monday to Thursday: Current finish time 23:00hrs, proposed finish time 23:30hrs
    • Friday and Saturday: Current finish time 23:00hrs, proposed finish time 01:00hrs (the following morning)
    • Sunday: Current finish time 22:30hrs, proposed finish time 23:00hrs
  • Opening hours:
    • Monday to Thursday: Current opening time 07:00hrs, proposed opening time 06:00hrs; Current closing time 23:00hrs, proposed closing time 00:00hrs
    • Friday and Saturday: Current opening time 07:00hrs, proposed opening time 06:00hrs; Current closing time 23:00hrs, proposed closing time 01:30hrs (the following morning)
    • Sunday: Current opening time 07:00hrs, proposed opening time 07:00hrs; Current closing time 23:00hrs, proposed closing time 23:30hrs

Floor plan of The Coffee Place & Breakfast, subject of a licensing variation application.
Floor plan of The Coffee Place & Breakfast, subject of a licensing variation application.

The Licensing Authority received a representation from a local resident, Jennifer Stone, raising concerns about potential public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

Ms. Stone raised concerns including:

  • Public Nuisance:
    • Noise from the premises, particularly loud music, disturbing residents until late at night, claiming to be kept awake until 1am and possessing video evidence.
    • The enclosed 'outside area' being full of men smoking, making it unpleasant for non-smokers and families, noting that it is not ventilated enough for smoking but also not enclosed enough to contain noise.
  • Protection of Children from Harm:
    • Concerns about a café in a residential and school area being given a license for all-day drinking, potentially creating an unsafe environment for children, especially given the proximity to several schools.
    • The café being used almost exclusively by men, making it less family-friendly.
    • The all-day license potentially excluding students from local schools from using the café due to under-18s needing to be accompanied by an adult.

The police have stated that they have no objections to the variation as long as the applicant agrees to abide by all existing conditions contained within Annex 2 of the existing licence. These conditions include:

  • The premises licence holder shall ensure the premises has a zero tolerance towards drugs. The police shall be notified immediately in the event that someone is found with drugs on the premises.
  • A digital, colour CCTV system shall be installed at the premises. Cameras will cover the entrance to the premises, the counter where alcohol is stored and there should also be comprehensive coverage of the seating area where alcohol will be consumed (inside and outside) Images will be stored for a minimum of 31 days without overwriting. Footage will be made available to the police or licensing authority within a reasonable time period from the date of any request made.
  • Alcohol shall only be served to persons seated at a table with a substantial meal and there shall be no vertical drinking.
  • Staff shall encourage customers to use the premises in an orderly and respectful manner and staff will be trained to prevent customers consuming excess amounts of alcohol (i.e. the signs and symptoms of drunkenness). All staff shall receive induction and refresher training (at least every three months) relating to the sale of alcohol. Age-restricted products training shall cover the following steps: the assessment of age; how and when to challenge for proof of age; acceptable proof of age and how to check it; and recording refusals. All training relating to the sale of alcohol shall be documented and records kept. This record must be made available to the Police and/or Local Authority upon request.
  • The premises licence holder shall ensure that an incident/refusals log is maintained at the premises. The log shall include the following; All incidents of crime and disorder which take place at the premises. Any occasion where the police or London ambulance are called to the venue Any refusal of sales of alcohol.
  • All doors and windows kept closed after 1900 hours, except when it is necessary for staff/customers to leave by these doors. They will be kept closed during all times regulated entertainment is taking place.
  • Alcohol will not be served to the seating outside after 2000 hours on Sunday to Thursday and 2100 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Signs shall be prominently displayed on the exit doors and on the outside tables advising customers that the premises is in a 'Alcohol Control Area' and that alcohol should not be taken outside of the premises boundary and consumed in the street.
  • Prominent, clear and legible notices shall be displayed at all public exits from the premises requesting customers respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and area quietly. These notices shall be positioned at eye level and in a location where those leaving the premises can read them.
  • Ventilation and extract systems will be designed and maintained so as to prevent noxious smells causing a nuisance to nearby properties. All waste generated by the premises will be dealt with appropriately
  • Customers will be actively discouraged from standing around loudly talking in the street outside the premises.
  • No child shall be admitted to the premises unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
  • The licensee shall adopt Challenge 25 type policy and promote it through the prominent display of posters. Anyone attempting to purchase alcohol who appears under 25 years old will be asked to provide valid ID to prove they are over 18. Only a passport, photographic driving licence or ID with the P.A.S.S. logo (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) shall be accepted. This will also be advertised with posters so that customers are aware.
  • To provide strong management controls and train all staff to meet the premises licence requirements and the four licencing objectives. Particularly with: No selling of alcohol to underage people (Challenge 25) No drunk and disorderly behaviour on the premises area Vigilance in preventing use and sale of illegal drugs at the retail area CCTV installation with recording option available.
  • There shall be no adult entertainment or services, activities or matters ancillary to the use of the premises that may give rise to concern in respect of children.
  • Suitable beverages other than alcohol (including drinking water) shall be equally available for consumption with or otherwise as ancillary to table meals
  • No person shall be employed at the premises at any time if they do not have a right to work in the United Kingdom. No person shall be employed at the premises unless they have provided documentary proof of their right to work in accordance with the Home Office publication An employer's guide to right to work checks May 2015 issue or any subsequent issue. A full record of the check and a copy of all documents provided shall be maintained at the premises at all times. Without prejudice to the above, the premises licence holder shall check the continuing right to work of every person employed at the premises at least once every six months. Documentary proof of such right to work shall be provided in accordance with the Home Office publication An employer's guide to right to work checks May 2015 issue or any subsequent issue. A full record of the check and a copy of all documents provided shall be maintained at the premises at all times. All documents and other records maintained in accordance with this condition shall be produced forthwith on demand during the opening hours of the premises to a Police Officer, local authority officer or Home Office Immigration Officer.
  • To maintain on the premises a contemporaneous written record of the hours worked by all persons. Such record shall as a minimum cover the previous 4 working weeks and must be available to be produced on demand to a Police Officer, local authority officer or Home Office Immigration.
  • Clear and conspicuous notices warning of potential criminal activity, such as theft, that may target customers will be displayed.
  • Not selling of alcohol to drunk or intoxicated customers.
  • Staff will be well trained in asking customers to use the premises in an orderly and respectful manner and staff will be well trained to prevent customers using alcohol above the retail unit.
  • Internal and external lighting to promote the public safety objective.

The report of the Licensing Manager details the proposed changes, existing conditions, and representations received. The sub-committee will need to consider these factors when the hearing is reconvened.