A proposed Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Island Roots Collective Studio in Tower Hamlets has been refused by the council's Licensing Sub Committee due to concerns over public nuisance, potential crime and disorder, and the applicant's preparedness. The decision was made at a meeting on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
The application sought permission for an 'after carnival party/J'ouvert party' to be held at Leaside Yard, 30 Hancock Road, E3 3DA, from 6pm on Saturday, 30 August, until 2am on Sunday, 31 August. The event proposed to include music, a paid bar, and food, with an estimated 300 attendees.
Objections were raised by both Environmental Health and the Metropolitan Police. PC Donna Willcox, a licensing officer for the Metropolitan Police, highlighted concerns about the event's location in a highly residential area and the late hours requested. She noted that the premises is described as an open yard on an industrial site, but its proximity to residential properties raised significant issues.
PC Willcox stated that unanswered questions remained regarding the event's management, safety, and the applicant's authority to use the premises. She expressed concern that an outdoor event operating until 2am could generate considerable noise and disturbance, impacting residents and undermining the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance. The lack of a detailed site plan, risk assessment, event management plan, and customer dispersal arrangements further fuelled these concerns.
Beyond noise and nuisance, the Metropolitan Police's concerns regarding 'potential crime and disorder' included the arrival and departure of attendees. PC Willcox voiced worries about people leaving the event in high spirits
and potential congregating outside. She also raised concerns about crowd management, stating hundreds of people turning up at the gate
and whether the four SIA operatives would be insufficient
to manage this, potentially requiring police attendance and impacting the area. Parking and traffic impacts in the vicinity of the premises were also a concern, with questions about how people are going to park.
PC Willcox concluded, From a policing point of view I don't feel confident that this event will be a success and for that reason I would ask that the subcommittee reject the temporary event notice.
Environmental Health also objected, citing the potential for noise breakout from the outdoor event and the behaviour of patrons arriving, leaving, drinking, and congregating. They noted that the proposed hours were well beyond the Council's Framework Hours
and that the event's outdoor nature, coupled with the late hours, increased the likelihood of public nuisance.
The applicant, Kenrick Cuffy, and his representative, Joelle, attempted to address these concerns. They explained that the event would be contained, with security at the gate and a plan to move indoors after midnight, with music contained within the studio. They also stated that leaflets would be distributed to residents and that a community representative had indicated no problem with the event, especially with the move indoors after midnight.
Regarding the applicant's authority to use Leaside Yard, Mr. Cuffy stated that he has a studio which, with approval of the landowner, has allowed him to keep events on the property because he is paying for the studio.
He also mentioned that they have also emailed her [the landowner] to let her know that the event is going on.
However, PC Donna Willcox noted in her objection that no detailed site plan has been provided, and it remains unclear whether the applicant has obtained the necessary permission from the landowner(s) to use the site for the proposed event.
She further stated, the uncertainty regarding the applicant's authority to use the premises
was a reason for the police's objection.
Concerning the 'community representative,' the applicant stated they had spoken to Mr Pinkerton. Mr Pinkerton is one of the gentlemen who is part of the Boer Community Council with the residents.
Mr. Pinkerton indicated that he doesn't see a problem in that happening
especially as the music would be brought inside from midnight. He also mentioned he is part of the Bo community village group chat and he said to give him one of the leaflets and he is going to send it digitally to all the members to inform them. He is the one in charge of this area and he said to me there should not be a problem in that.
For customer dispersal, the applicant proposed moving the event indoors at midnight, with music contained within the studio and doors closed. They planned for four security personnel at the gate, with a system of one in, one out if capacity reached 250-290 attendees, and gates that could be slid shut if there was an outpour of people.
Leaflets would also be distributed to residents as a courtesy and to provide a contact for noise complaints. However, these measures were deemed inadequate by the Sub-Committee. PC Donna Willcox expressed concerns about arrival and departure and people leaving in high spirits,
and the potential for significant public nuisance issue
with outdoor speakers for up to 300 people until midnight. She also questioned the capacity for indoor use after midnight if 300 people were to move inside.
However, the Sub-Committee shared the concerns raised by the responsible authorities. They noted that the applicant admitted to having no prior experience organising such events. The potential for a large number of attendees, insufficient SIA operatives, and the late hours requested led the committee to conclude that the licensing objectives were likely to be undermined. Consequently, the Sub-Committee decided it was appropriate and proportionate to issue a counter-notice, effectively refusing the Temporary Event Notice. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack and the Decisions document from the meeting.
