A Tower Hamlets bar and restaurant, Fabwick, is facing a licence review following numerous noise complaints and alleged breaches of its existing licence conditions. The Licensing Sub Committee will convene on 1 July 2025 to consider the application for a new premises licence for Fabwick, located in Queen's Yard, 43 White Post Lane, E9 5EN.

The review was prompted by concerns raised by the licensing authority and environmental health regarding public nuisance and the applicant's ability to adhere to licensing conditions. The Licensing Sub Committee will consider all evidence before making a decision on the new premises licence application. Open Council Network will provide updates as the story develops.

Kathy Driver, representing the licensing authority, cited a poor record of observing conditions and repeated breaches of the existing licence. Concerns also extend to the lack of proper planning permission for the current operation of the premises. O'Leary, representing environmental health, objected to the application due to concerns about noise disturbance and the impact on nearby residential properties, including Schwartz Wharf and the K2N residential development.

People gathered outside Fabwick, the bar and restaurant subject to licensing review.
People gathered outside Fabwick, the bar and restaurant subject to licensing review.

According to a report prepared for the Licensing Sub Committee, the applicant, Kenan Balli, sought to change the existing licence to allow the premises to operate as a community bar, rather than a restaurant. Stephanie Hayden, representing the applicant, argued that the application was for a community facility in an area with numerous leisure outlets, and that the Metropolitan Police had withdrawn their objections after agreeing to conditions, including:

  • Maintaining a comprehensive CCTV system.
  • Employing a minimum of 2 SIA-licensed door supervisors on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 20:00 hours until closing, with additional supervisors hired based on risk assessment.
  • Hiring an additional 2 SIA Licensed door supervisors when the first floor operates for live or recorded music, where the music and alcohol is not ancillary to provision of plays, provision of dance or comedy shows.
  • Maintaining an incident log.
  • Keeping a record of all refused sales of alcohol.
  • Implementing a written search policy.
  • Maintaining a lockable drugs box.
  • Having a welfare policy.
  • Ensuring all front of house staff complete WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) training.
  • Having appropriate fire safety procedures in place.
  • Hiring a dedicated welfare officer when both floors are open to the public.
  • Ensuring no queue forms on White Post Lane.
  • Closing the White Post Lane entrance after 22:00 hours.
  • Ensuring egress out of the venue is through Queens Yard at closing.
  • Directing smokers to a dedicated area inside Queens Yard.
  • Implementing a written dispersal policy.

Currently, Fabwick is permitted to sell alcohol (on-sales only) from 10:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and 10:00 to 01:00 Thursday to Saturday. They are also permitted to provide late night refreshment (indoors only) from 23:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and 23:00 to 01:00 Thursday to Saturday, and operate (open to the public) from 10:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and 10:00 to 01:00 Thursday to Saturday.

With the new license, Fabwick seeks to:

  • Provide plays (indoors) from 12:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Tuesday, 12:00 to 01:00 Wednesday to Thursday and 12:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.
  • Provide live music (indoor & outdoor) from 12:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Tuesday, 12:00 to 01:00 Wednesday to Thursday and 12:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.
  • Provide recorded music (indoor & outdoor) from 08:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Tuesday, 08:00 to 01:00 Wednesday to Thursday and 08:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.
  • Provide performance of dance (indoor & outdoor) from 10:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Tuesday, 10:00 to 01:00 Wednesday to Thursday and 10:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.
  • Provide late night refreshment (indoor & outdoor) from 23:00 to 00:30 Sunday to Tuesday, 23:00 to 01:30 Wednesday to Thursday and 23:00 to 02:30 Friday to Saturday.
  • Sell alcohol (indoor & outdoor) from 09:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Tuesday, 09:00 to 01:00 Wednesday to Thursday and 09:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.
  • Operate (open to the public) from 08:00 to 00:30 Sunday to Tuesday, 08:00 to 01:30 Wednesday to Thursday and 08:00 to 02:30 Friday to Saturday.

However, the licensing authority's report details a history of complaints and breaches. A complaint on 27 July 2024 cited noise from the venue, with the operation described as more conducive to a bar not a restaurant. A follow-up complaint on 16 October 2024 also alleged noise and breaches of conditions. A visit from Police Licensing Officer Kieran Wells on 8 November 2024 reported breaches of licence conditions, specifically regarding the sale of alcohol without food. The report stated:

I have explained to the manager on shift who was the Chef, that this would be their first and only warning. If they are caught in breach of this condition again Police will submit a review of their license.

Exterior view of Fabwick, a bar and restaurant in Queens Yard, London, subject of a licensing review.
Exterior view of Fabwick, a bar and restaurant in Queens Yard, London, subject of a licensing review.

Despite these issues, the applicant submitted a minor variation application on 8 November 2024, seeking to remove conditions related to restaurant operation. This application was refused due to objections from the police. Further visits by council officers on 15 November and 20 December 2024 revealed additional breaches, including vertical drinking and a lack of adherence to capacity limits. Fabwick has repeatedly breached condition 9 of its existing license, which states that The sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises shall only be to a person seated taking a table meal there, and for consumption by such a person as ancillary to their meal. They have also breached condition 15, which requires that All windows and external doors shall be kept closed after 22:00 hours, or at any time when regulated entertainment takes place, except for the immediate access & egress of persons, and condition 17, which states that The external area shall not be used after 22:00 hours, except for patrons permitted to temporarily leave and then re-enter the premises, e.g. to smoke, and shall be limited to 8 persons at any one time.

Adding to the licensing authority's concerns, Environmental Protection Officer Onuoha Olere raised concerns about the potential impact on the licensing objectives, particularly in relation to environmental protection and the prevention of public nuisance. Olere stated that the extended hours for licensable activities, along with the inclusion of outdoor activities, raise significant concerns about public nuisance. Olere also stated that a detailed sound insulation report and a noise management plan must be provided, demonstrating how the applicant intends to mitigate public nuisance.