The Nightingale pub in Wanstead is facing objections from the Community Protection Task Force (CPTF) over noise concerns related to planned DJ nights. The Redbridge licensing sub-committee convened on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, to review two temporary event notices (TENs) submitted by Chris Vassiliou, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for The Nightingale, located at 51 Nightingale Lane.
The CPTF has previously allowed TENs to take place at The Nightingale, but reports receiving numerous complaints regarding the level of the music despite a noise limiter being in place.
The TENs sought permission for regulated entertainment, specifically DJ performances, on Saturday 2 August 2025 and Saturday 9 August 2025, between 20:00 and 23:00. The applications stated that a sound limiter would be in place, and extra staff, including SIA personnel, would be present to ensure adherence to licensing conditions and to respect neighbours by concluding the events by 23:00. According to the temporary event notice form, this would be the third and fourth temporary event notices submitted by Chris Vassiliou this calendar year for the event on August 2nd and August 9th respectively. The document does not specify how many were approved or rejected.
The CPTF lodged objections to both TENs, arguing that the events could undermine the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance. According to the CPTF, recent TENs granted to The Nightingale had resulted in numerous complaints about music levels, despite the presence of a noise limiter. The CPTF stated that the music at the venue was deemed as audible word for word in terms of the music that stemmed from the venue into complainants' homes.
Further concerns were raised that The Nightingale's licence only permitted background music, and a DJ would significantly amplify the sound, potentially causing a noise nuisance. The CPTF stated that the venue is only permitted to have background music at this time
and that as part of their licence there is no regulated entertainment that is allowed
. Annex 3 of the premises licence states that Live and recorded music shall be removed as a licensable activity from the licence. There shall be no live or recorded music played or performed at the premises at any time.
Breaches of licensing conditions were also alleged, including allowing patrons in the garden after 22:00 and placing tables and chairs outside the premises.
The licensing sub-committee, consisting of Councillors Bob Chattaway, Muhammed Javed, and Jamal Uddin, was tasked with considering the TENs and objections. The sub-committee had the option to:
- Allow the events to proceed as planned.
- Allow the events to proceed with existing premises licence conditions imposed.
- Issue a counter notice, effectively prohibiting the events.
The agenda for the meeting and the Public reports pack provided to the attendees included the Report - Nightingale TENs LSC, Appendix A_Redacted, Appendix B_Redacted, Appendix C_Redacted, Appendix D, Appendix E and the hearing procedure TENs.
