An Ilford pub's bid for a late-night licence is facing strong opposition from local authorities and residents, raising concerns about crime, public safety, and potential disturbances in the area. The applicant has stated that they are installing very high quality soundproofing
and will ensure that the music is played reasonably. They will also provide signage asking customers to leave quietly to reduce disturbance,
and using soundproofing measures such as double-glazed windows, acoustic panels, and insulated walls
to contain noise.
The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council, comprised of Councillor Zulfiqar Hussain, Councillor Saira Y. Jamil, and Councillor Kumud Joshi, is set to review the application for The Cauliflower Public House, located at 553 High Road, Ilford. The applicant, Temidayo Adeleke, seeks to authorise live music, recorded music, performances of dance, late-night refreshment, and the supply of alcohol until the early hours of the morning.
The proposed hours for licensable activities are:
- Live music: Monday to Wednesday: 17:00 until 02:00; Thursday to Saturday: 17:00 until 04:00; Sunday: 17:00 until 03:00.
- Recorded music: Monday to Wednesday: 17:00 until 03:00; Thursday & Sunday: 17:00 until 04:00; Friday & Saturday: 17:00 until 05:00.
- Performances of dance: Monday to Thursday: 20:00 until 02:00; Friday to Sunday: 20:00 until 04:00.
- Late night refreshment: Monday to Wednesday: Midnight until 03:00; Thursday & Sunday: Midnight until 04:00; Friday & Saturday: Midnight until 05:00.
- Supply of alcohol: Monday to Wednesday: 12:00 until 03:00; Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 until 04:00.
- Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 12:00 until 04:00; Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 until 05:00.
The application describes the premises as a bar and upstairs lounge / banqueting hall which will be opened to members of the public at 12pm and close by 5am. The restaurant will be Mediterranean / Lebanese fusion.
However, the application has met with resistance. One representation from another person has been received, citing concerns over crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm, as detailed in Appendix D of the Public Reports Pack. Furthermore, the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team and the Council's Licensing Enforcement Team have both lodged objections, focusing on the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance licensing objectives. Details of these objections can be found in Appendix E of the Public Reports Pack.
The location of The Cauliflower Public House within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) adds another layer of complexity. A CIZ is an area where the concentration of licensed premises is believed to be having a negative impact on the licensing objectives. Within a CIZ, there is a presumption that new applications for licences will be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate that their business will not exacerbate existing problems. The meeting information does not contain a specific plan from Temidayo Adeleke on how to demonstrate that the business will not exacerbate existing problems within the Cumulative Impact Zone. However, it does state that in a CIZ, there is a presumption that new applications for licenses will be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate that their business will not add to the existing problems.
The Licensing Sub-Committee has several options: grant the application, grant it with additional conditions, grant it in part only, or reject it altogether. If the committee were to grant the application in part or with additional conditions, they could add conditions to address the prevention of public nuisance objective, such as restrictions on hours of regulated activities, measures to prevent noise and vibration, noxious smells and light pollution, and the provision of door supervisors. They could also add conditions to address the protection of children from harm objective, such as age restrictions and requiring proof of age. Under the prevention of crime and disorder objective, conditions could be added to deter crime and disorder, including the prevention of illegal working in licensed premises and the use of CCTV cameras. The decision will be communicated to all parties within five working days following the hearing. The procedure for licensing hearings will be followed at the meeting.