Hackney's Licensing Sub Committee C has granted The Last Tuesday Society, located at 11 Mare Street, a licence extension, despite concerns raised by local residents regarding potential crime, disorder, public safety issues, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The decision was made at a meeting on 12 August 2025, where the committee, comprised of Councillor Sharon Patrick, Councillor Lynne Troughton, and Councillor Liam Davis, considered an application by Robert Wyndam Buckenell to vary the premises licence. The aim was to extend the hours for plays, films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, and the supply of alcohol from Thursday to Saturday, and to include late-night refreshment during those days.

Following negotiations with the Licensing Authority, the applicant agreed to reduce the hours sought to align with the council's licensing policy LP3 Core Hours. The council's licensing policy LP3 Core Hours stipulates:

  • Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 to 23:00
  • Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 10:00 to 00:00
  • Sunday: 10:00 to 23:00

The agreed-upon hours now reflect this policy.

Four representations were received from local residents, who voiced concerns about increasing noise, public nuisance, and anti-social behaviour related to licensed premises in the area. One resident wrote to the council to say that they had, seen more and more issues with noise and public nuisance and with numerous venues serving alcohol, all too often related to those leaving or even attending licensed premises .

Despite these concerns, the committee approved the application, adding several conditions to the licence to mitigate potential negative impacts. The applicant proposed additional measures to be applied to the licence, including:

  • Table service to manage capacity and safety.
  • Free drinking water availability.
  • Closure of the outside seating area at 22:30.
  • Closed doors and windows during regulated entertainment.
  • A waste collection contract with Hackney Council.
  • Signage to ensure customers leave quietly.
  • Restrictions on children's access, permitting them only from 10:00 to 19:00 when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The meeting information states that table service is provided to control the capacity in the venue and manage the safety of the public within the premises.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered submissions from the applicant, responsible authorities, and other persons, and was satisfied that the licensing objectives would continue to be promoted with the imposed conditions.

Hackney Town Hall, the location of the council meeting.
Hackney Town Hall, the location of the council meeting.