The Black Eel pub in Hackney has secured an extension to its late-night refreshment and alcohol sales hours, despite objections from a local resident. The venue, located at 41 Kingsland High Street, will now be able to serve alcohol until 1:00 AM and provide late-night refreshments until 1:30 AM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The decision was made by Hackney Council's Licensing Sub-Committee B on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The resident's objection centred on concerns about potential public nuisance and the cumulative impact of extended hours in the Dalston area, which is designated as a Special Consideration Area. The objector argued that the extension would exacerbate existing issues of noise and pavement congregation, particularly as the pub's rear garden closes at 10 PM. The resident also highlighted that this was the third application concerning the premises in a short period, suggesting a pattern of seeking to loosen safeguards. They expressed concern that the applicant's dispersal policy was not a binding condition and that the applicant seemed complacent about potential issues. Furthermore, the resident stated that the applicant's solicitor was well wide of the mark
in estimating the distance to a comparable premises, stating it was five minutes walk
rather than 15 minutes walk
.
Niall McCann, the solicitor representing The Black Eel, countered that the application was for indoor activities only and did not seek an increase in capacity. He highlighted the absence of objections from statutory authorities, such as the police and environmental health, suggesting that licensing objectives had been met. McCann also pointed out that previous Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for later hours had not resulted in complaints. The meeting information does not explicitly state the specific criteria or thresholds that would trigger a statutory authority objection, but it is implied that they would object if they had evidence to support representations related to the licensing objectives. In this case, the lack of representation from statutory authorities indicated to the applicant that the licensing objectives had been addressed.
Additional conditions were agreed upon, including mandatory Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) and Ask Angela training for staff, improved waste management procedures, and the display of the Designated Premises Supervisor's contact details. This training, to be completed every six months, aims to address patrons' welfare and ensure staff are equipped to handle situations related to vulnerability and safety. Councillor Nicholas Blincoe and Councillor Ben Lucas were among the committee members who questioned the objector.
The resident's concerns about noise and congregation were specific: they believed the extension would exacerbate existing issues of noise and congregation on the pavement.
They stated that crowding on pavement is a live issue in this area
and expressed concern about what happens outside, particularly these premises. What happens outside of these premises is a very much a concern to me. If you just want to walk on the pavement or if you want to open a window on a hot night and not listen to a crowd of hundreds of people making a racket.
The resident also mentioned observing large amount of people congregating, more than 15 people congregating outside
The Black Eel.
The Black Eel is located at 41 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2JS, within a Special Consideration Area as defined by Hackney Council's Statement of Licensing Policy. This designation means applicants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of issues arising from cumulative impact assessments. Nearby premises such as Molly Blooms, The Victoria Dalston, Red Hand, The Fox, The Shacklewell Arms, and Farr's Dalston have later permitted hours. The applicant is seeking to extend its late-night refreshment hours until 1:30 AM and alcohol sales until 1:00 AM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The proposed hours are later than the council's core hours
policy, which is typically between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to midnight Friday to Saturday.
The meeting information also indicates that this was the third application concerning the premises in 18 months, with the objector stating, This is the third application concerning this premises in 18 months, each loosening a different safeguard.
The objector also mentioned that a previous application in November 2025 increased capacity and introduced a condition for a dispersal policy. The applicant's solicitor, Niall McCann, noted that Temporary Event Notices (TENs) had previously been used to test later hours without complaint.
