Hackney's Licensing Sub-Committee D convened on 24 June 2025 to address resident concerns regarding Piscos bar, located at 16 Stoke Newington Road. The primary issue revolves around a request to extend the use of the external area until midnight, Monday to Sunday, and to permit smoking outside on Fridays and Saturdays from midnight to 2:00 AM.
Residents voiced strong objections, citing worries about crime, disorder, public safety, nuisance, and the protection of children. Specific complaints included overcrowding, mismanagement of intoxicated patrons, unsafe backstreet activity involving drug use, failure to deter unsavoury individuals, operation beyond licensed hours, inadequate smoking area management, and excessive noise.
Mohamed, the applicant, described Piscos as a cozy, neighbourhood eatery/ cocktails bar
with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
He proposed measures to address concerns, including restricting alcohol sales to seated customers, installing CCTV, maintaining an incident log, providing staff training, operating a Challenge 25
policy, and installing a sound limiter.
The public reports pack included a recommendation from the Licensing Officer to approve the application with an additional condition: The use of the external area shall cease by 00:00 hrs Mon- Sun as per SFT licence issued by Hackney council Ref: SF1227683. A maximum of 4 person shall be permitted outside to smoke on Fri and Sat from 00:00 hrs to 02:00 hrs.
The meeting also addressed an application from Gocci, located at 468 Kingsland Road, seeking to vary its premises licence. The Licensing Authority raised concerns that the proposed changes amounted to a change of use from a kebab shop to a bar, potentially impacting licensing objectives. The Environmental Health Authority withdrew its representation based on agreed conditions.