Tower Hamlets Council is considering the fate of Feast Express's licence after repeated failures to comply with regulations, including test purchases of hot food made after hours.

The Licensing Sub Committee is scheduled to meet on 1 July 2025 to discuss the application for a new premises licence for the takeaway restaurant, located at 103 Whitechapel Road. The applicant, Shariful Islam, is seeking permission to provide late-night refreshments indoors between 23:00 and 00:00 Sunday to Thursday, and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Licensing Authority has raised serious concerns about Feast Express's adherence to licensing laws. According to the Public reports pack 01st-Jul-2025 14.00 Licensing Sub Committee, officers conducted test purchases on two separate occasions where hot food was sold after hours without a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) in place. The first incident occurred on 26 July 2024 at 23:13, and the second on 28 March 2025 at 00:02.

According to the Feast Express cover report - 01 July 25, the Licensing Authority argues that the area has recently been added to the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone due to an increase in crime and disorder. The Licensing Authority believes the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate exceptional circumstances as to why their application should be granted, and that it will not have a negative cumulative effect on the area.

The applicant has responded to the Licensing Authority's representation, claiming that the first incident occurred under the previous operator and that the second was an honest mistake, with staff now receiving updated training. They have formally accepted all conditions proposed by the Licensing Authority.

However, the Licensing Authority remains unconvinced. According to the Feast Express Appendices Only - 01 July 25, they stated that the owners of the premises clearly have a blatant disregard to Licensing Laws and therefore have no belief that they will abide by the terms of a Premise Licence if they are granted one.

The Licensing Sub Committee will consider the application and representations before making a decision.