Romford nightclub Jukebox has been granted an extension to its operating hours, allowing it to stay open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, despite objections from the Metropolitan Police and Havering's Licensing Authority.
The decision was made by the Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The variation to the premises licence will permit last entry at 2:30 am, alcohol sales until 3:30 am, and dispersal until 3:00 am, subject to specific conditions.
Responsible authorities, including the police and environmental health, had raised concerns about the potential for increased cumulative impact within the Romford Town Centre Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), public nuisance from late-night dispersal, and a potential rise in crime and disorder. The police highlighted several incidents linked to the venue over the past year, including assaults, drug possession, and sexual assault allegations. These incidents included:
- 01/7848996/25 (07/08/2025): Administering poison/noxious thing to injure/annoy, where a victim believed they were spiked in the venue.
- 01/7833429/25 (08/08/2025): Racially or religiously aggravated assault or assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
- 01/7835770/25 & 01/7836191/25 (09/08/2025): Sexual assault on a female, where the victim alleged a suspect grabbed her bottom inside Jukebox. Dispersal powers were used.
- 01/7865108/25 (15/08/2025): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), where security flagged officers about a male involved in a physical altercation.
- 01/7887280/25 (23/08/2025): Possession of cannabis, found during a search as a condition of entry.
- 01/7917549/25 (31/08/2025): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), where a female resisted ejection and assaulted a door supervisor.
- 01/7919205/25 (31/08/2025): Sexual assault on a female, where a door supervisor was alleged to have grabbed the victim's bottom. CCTV enquiries confirmed no offence took place.
- 01/7942617/25 (07/09/2025): Sexual assault on a female, where a male was ejected and allegedly sexually assaulted a female.
- 01/7996226/25 (21/09/2025): Sexual assault on a female, involving unwanted advances and touching.
- 01/8044838/25 (04/10/2025): Sexual assault on a female, involving alleged touching and hands up a skirt.
- 01/8074306/25 & 01/8078524/25 (12/10/2025): Sexual assault on a female, involving alleged touching and grabbing.
- 01/8100138/25 & 01/8101264/25 (18/10/2025): Sexual assault on a female, involving alleged unwanted advances and touching.
- 01/8103948/25 (19/10/2025): Possession of cocaine, found during a search as a condition of entry.
- 01/8127263/25 (25/10/2025): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), where a suspect punched a victim outside the venue.
- 01/8130527/25 (26/10/2025): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), involving a physical altercation.
- 01/8153670/25 & 01/8308942/25 (01/11/2025): Causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress, where a suspect refused to leave and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
- 01/8208874/25 (15/11/2025): Possession of cocaine, found during a search as a condition of entry, resulting in a community resolution.
- 01/8263153/25 & 01/8263161/25 (29/11/2025): Racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, where a suspect made racial slurs and was issued a dispersal notice.
- 01/8264006/25 & 01/8264055/25 (30/11/2025): Assault without injury - common assault and battery, involving an altercation during ejection.
- 01/8287368/25 & 01/8287459/25 (06/12/2025): Fear or provocation of violence, where a suspect allegedly threatened security after being ejected.
- 01/8293208/25, 01/8293265/25 & 01/8298086/25 (07/12/2025): Sexual assault on a female, involving alleged physical altercation and sexual assault. Victims refused to provide statements.
- 01/8316976/25 (13/12/2025): Possession of cannabis, found in the smoking area, resulting in a community resolution.
- 01/818136/25 (14/12/2025): Assault without injury - common assault and battery, involving an alleged push by a door supervisor and homophobic remarks.
- 01/8318158/25 (14/12/2025): Possession of cocaine, found during a search as a condition of entry.
- 01/8318197/25 (14/12/2025): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), where an allegation against security was not supported by witness accounts.
- 01/8341806/25 (20/12/2025): Possession of cocaine, found during a search as a condition of entry, resulting in a community resolution.
- 01/8347487/25 (21/12/2025): Possession of cocaine, found during a search as a condition of entry, resulting in a community resolution.
- 01/8347591/25 (21/12/2025): Possession of cocaine, found during a search as a condition of entry, resulting in a postal charge requisition.
- 01/7000364/26 (01/01/2026): Possession of cannabis, found during a search as a condition of entry, resulting in a community resolution.
- 01/7038433/26 (11/01/2026): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), involving an altercation and a drink being thrown.
- 01/7200874/26 (22/02/2026): Administering a substance with intent, where a victim felt unwell after consuming drinks.
- 01/7231686/26 (28/02/2026): Possess counterfeit coin or note, involving two males detained for possession of counterfeit currency, resolved by community resolution.
- 01/7290056/26 & 01/7365088/26 (13/03/2026): Assault or assault by beating on a constable, where a suspect headbutted a door and bit an officer.
- 01/7324126/26 (21/03/2026): Assault without injury - common assault and battery, involving an altercation outside the venue.
- 01/7364132/26 (29/03/2026): Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), where a suspect headbutted a door supervisor.
- 01/7420835/26 (11/04/2026): GBH serious wound without intent (s20), involving an assault after a dispute over an ice cube.
However, the applicant, Moonshine Entertainment Limited, argued that Jukebox is an established venue that has operated responsibly and contributed positively to Romford's night-time economy. They presented several pieces of evidence to demonstrate this, including letters of support from Andrew Rosindell MP, Romford BID Director Julie Frost, and Leigh Humm of Humm Security Services. These letters highlighted Jukebox's role as Romford's last remaining nightclub, its contribution to local employment, investment, footfall, and the vitality of the town centre. Employee testimonials also emphasized Jukebox as an important local employer providing regular work and income. The applicant further argued that Jukebox has operated responsibly for six years within its current licence and has a positive engagement record with responsible authorities, highlighting detailed operational policies covering age verification, CCTV, crime prevention, dispersal, and drugs awareness.
The committee considered the representations and ultimately granted the variation. The decision was made with specific conditions, including last entry at 2:30 am, alcohol sales until 3:30 am, and dispersal by 3:00 am. The committee also noted the applicant's commitment to implementing proposed conditions and working with responsible authorities.
The proposed methods for managing the dispersal of patrons until 3:00 am include gradual dispersal by turning down music and raising lights, a continued presence of Jukebox's own staff until everyone has left, and the support of BID marshals and medics who finish at 4:00 am. Humm Security Ltd also stated their willingness to extend their services. Prominent notices will request patrons to leave quietly, and CCTV will monitor relevant areas. The applicant stated they would stop entry at 2:30 am and that BID marshals support all late-night venues. The responsibility for safe dispersal appears to be shared among Jukebox's staff, door supervisors, BID marshals, and security services.
The maximum occupancy of the building, including staff and performers, is restricted to 391 persons. The application for extended hours does not explicitly detail how this capacity might be impacted, other than the applicant stating they do not always reach this limit on Fridays and Saturdays.
Any party aggrieved by the decision has the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of notification.
