Cafe Bonnane, located at Unit 8 Excel Marina in Canning Town, is seeking to extend its alcohol serving hours, a move that has drawn objections from local residents.
The Newham Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee convened on Tuesday 24 June 2025, to discuss the application. The application seeks to extend the hours for alcohol supply to 10:00 to 00:00, Monday to Sunday, add off-site alcohol sales, add late-night refreshment, and remove the requirement for alcohol to be sold only with a table meal. The current licence permits alcohol sales until 22:30.
According to the meeting summary, nine residents submitted representations against the application, citing concerns about potential increases in crime and disorder, and public nuisance. One resident, Adam Johnson, claimed to have previously complained about alcohol being served past the current terminal hour of 22:30.
Frank Fender of FJF Licensing Solutions, the agent for the applicant Bill Mjekiqi, responded to the concerns, suggesting residents may be confusing Cafe Bonnane with the adjacent Bonnane Restaurant, which has a larger outdoor seating area. Fender stated the outdoor capacity for Cafe Bonnane is 40, not 100 as some residents claimed. He also noted that Bonnane Restaurant, operated by the same management, has no restrictions on alcohol being sold without a meal, and this has not caused any issues.
Several residents responded, reiterating their objections and clarifying their concerns specifically related to Cafe Bonnane. The agenda for the meeting also included confirming the procedure for the hearing, as outlined in a document titled 'Licensing procedure.pdf'.
The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee, including Councillor Tonii Wilson ( Chair of Licensing Committee), Councillor Jennifer Bailey, and Councillor Shaban Mohammed, were scheduled to consider the application and representations.