A podcast studio's application for an alcohol licence has been adjourned by Tower Hamlets Council following objections from residents and environmental health officials.
The New Blxck Ltd, operating from Unit B, 10 Quaker Street, London, E1 6SZ, applied for a licence to sell alcohol and provide regulated entertainment. The premises, described as a podcast studio with an associated event space, intends to host cultural and community activities.
However, the application faced significant opposition due to its location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The Licensing Authority, Environmental Protection team, a local resident, and the residents' association SPIRE all raised concerns.
Objectors highlighted the premises' proximity to residential properties, including those directly above and opposite, as a primary concern. They expressed fears that the sale of alcohol and late-night entertainment could lead to increased noise, anti-social behaviour, and public nuisance, particularly given the area's existing challenges with cumulative impact. These challenges include:
- Noise and Disturbance: Late-night regulated entertainment, especially with music, performance, and large gatherings, is highly likely to generate noise that will disturb the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.
- Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour: Venues operating into the early hours of the morning with regulated entertainment often attract increased foot traffic, intoxicated behaviour, loitering, and at times, violence or vandalism.
- Parking and Traffic Issues: Increased traffic at night and the lack of sufficient parking will result in congestion, illegal parking in residential driveways, and general inconvenience for residents trying to access their homes.
- Community Impact and Property Values: This type of business could change the character of the neighbourhood and residents' homes.
- Public Health and Cleanliness: Late-night activity from regulated entertainment will lead to littering, broken glass, and other forms of public disorder.
The Licensing Authority also noted that the applicant had not addressed the cumulative impact or detailed any measures to prevent disturbance to neighbouring properties from internal or external use by patrons.
During a Licensing Sub Committee meeting, the committee heard representations from both the applicants and objectors. The applicants emphasized their soundproofing measures and stated that alcohol sales would be secondary to their main function as a podcast studio. They proposed conditions such as a digital CCTV system, an incident log, and a Challenge 25 policy.
Environmental Health officers voiced concerns about potential noise breakout, noting the premises' location directly above residential properties and the absence of sound insulation reports. The New Blxck Ltd stated that during their renovation, they implemented professional standard
soundproofing, intentionally reduced so that there isn't any leakage out of the actual premises and not out of the property itself.
They also reported testing sound levels at a moderately loud level
with little to no sound leakage coming from the building.
The proposed operating hours for alcohol sales and regulated entertainment are Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 22:30, with the premises opening from 09:00 to 23:00 daily.
SPIRE, a residents' association, also objected, citing the premises' location within an ASB hotspot and its proximity to residential buildings. The proposed maximum capacity for the premises is 50 seated / 70 standing,
with the applicant clarifying that this would typically mean a maximum of 40 attendees, including staff.
Beyond podcast recording, The New Blxck Ltd envisions the event space being used for low-impact events such as book discussions, live recordings, workshops, talks, film screenings, sporting events will take place, as well as private events.
This includes live podcasts, book conversations, poetry nights, and corporate events, with alcohol served ancillary to these seated events.
While the committee acknowledged that the applicants had agreed to numerous conditions with the police, concerns persisted regarding the potential for public nuisance and crime and disorder. These conditions, detailed in Appendix 13 of the public reports pack [https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/documents/g16461/Public%20reports%20pack%2008th-Jan-2026%2018.30%20Licensing%20Sub%20Committee.pdf?T=10], include an incident log, a serious assault protocol, authorization for alcohol sales, a record of refused alcohol sales, staff welfare training, a comprehensive CCTV system, availability of a CCTV operator, SIA licensed door supervisors (on a risk assessment basis), a Challenge 25 policy, external doors remaining shut during performances or amplified sound, no dance floor, and no vertical drinking.
The committee resolved to adjourn the decision on The New Blxck's application to allow for further investigation into soundproofing and to potentially arrange a site visit. The applicants were requested to provide specifications for noise plans within seven days, with a follow-up visit and decision anticipated within four weeks.
