New restaurant licence granted despite planning and noise objections

A new restaurant licence has been granted for R3 Restaurant at 88-90 Leytonstone Road, E15 1TQ, despite significant objections from the council's planning, environmental health, and licensing teams. The decision was made by the Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

The applicant, Klaudia Ciecielag, trading as U MAXIMA, initially sought to operate the premises as a bar and club, with licensable activities including the sale of alcohol, recorded music, and dance on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM. However, the Sub-Committee's rationale for granting the licence was to attach a comprehensive set of conditions to address the concerns raised by the responsible authorities and to promote the four licensing objectives. ¹

Concerns were raised by the Council Licensing Team regarding crime and disorder and public nuisance, noting that the area had been subject to efforts to combat anti-social activities. They questioned the lack of food provision during licensable hours, suggesting the operation leaned towards a nightclub, and requested more details on smoking areas and staff training. Commercial Environmental Health also objected on the grounds of public nuisance, highlighting proximity to residential properties and past complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour from departing customers. They sought specific measures to minimise noise and nuisance from customer dispersal, particularly given the late operating hours.

The Council Planning Team's representation focused on public nuisance and crime prevention. They pointed to a previous Enforcement Notice issued in April 2017 for a material change of use to a drinking establishment without planning permission. The appeal against this notice was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate on 25th April 2018, and the Enforcement Notice was upheld as varied. ² The Planning Team argued that granting the licence would conflict with planning policy, citing previous findings that the use had an adverse effect on health, the aural environment, and the general living conditions of nearby residents. They also noted that operating as a bar or club would contravene this existing Enforcement Notice, which remains extant. Continued operation in contravention of an Enforcement Notice is a criminal offence. ³

Despite these objections, the Sub-Committee granted the licence with a comprehensive set of conditions to ensure the premises operates as a restaurant and not primarily as a bar or club. ⁴ These include:

• The premises operating solely as a restaurant, with alcohol sales only permitted to customers having a sit-down table meal as ancillary to their meal. Vertical drinking and off-sales of alcohol are prohibited. ⁵
• A maximum customer capacity of 86 persons inside the premises.
• The employment of a minimum of two SIA Registered Door Supervisors from an approved contractor from 9:00 PM until the premises is cleared of patrons.
• The maintenance of a log detailing door supervisor employment, CCTV recordings to be retained for a minimum of 31 days and made available to the police and council officers, and staff training on CCTV operation.
• The display of notices advising customers about CCTV operation, the Challenge 25 policy, permitted hours, and to respect residents.
• No drinks in glasses or bottles to be removed from the premises.
• The front of the premises to be kept tidy, with no deliveries or rubbish removal between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
• A phone number to be displayed for residents to report complaints, with details recorded in an incident book.
• A maximum of 10 smokers permitted outside the front of the premises at any one time, with specific times for smoking to cease.
• The implementation of a Challenge 25 policy for alcohol sales, with specific accepted forms of identification.
• A written refusals record to be kept.
• A Premises Licence holder, Designated Premises Supervisor, or Personal Licence Holder to be present at all times the premises is open to the public.
• A noise limiting device to be used and set at a level agreed with the Councils Noise Officer.
• Clear notices to be displayed instructing customers to leave quietly.
• No persons under 18 to be permitted on the premises after 11:00 PM.
• A written risk assessment to be carried out for private parties or events, including whether SIA registered security staff are required.
• A designated welfare officer to be present during operating hours and dispersal.
• Live and recorded music to cease by 12:30 AM Monday to Thursday, and by 2:00 AM Friday to Sunday (with the exception of background music).

The operating hours for the sale of alcohol were set as Monday to Thursday 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM, Friday and Saturday 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM, and Sunday 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM. The premises opening hours were set as Monday to Thursday 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM, Friday and Saturday 12:00 PM to 2:30 AM, and Sunday 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM.