Law or policy

Licensing (2003 Act)

7 stories · discussed at 10 council meetings · 5 councils

Councils are currently reviewing premises licences, with recent decisions including revocations for illegal working and granting late-night operations.

Newham's Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee revoked a restaurant's licence in September 2026 after illegal working was discovered, following a Home Office Immigration Enforcement review. Earlier, in April 2026, the Sub-Committee granted late-night licences to a dessert shop and a pizza shop, and a new restaurant licence, despite objections from residents and council teams.

Newham's Sub-Committee also refused a temporary street trading licence in August 2026 and granted a new premises licence for a Tesco store in July 2026. In May 2026, Greenwich Council's Licensing Committee appointed members to its Licensing Sub-Committees for 2026/27, fulfilling a statutory requirement under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Licensing Act 2003 governs the licensing of premises for alcohol sales, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment. Councils regularly consider applications for new licences, variations, and reviews, with decisions made by their Licensing Sub-Committees.

Key facts

  1. Newham's Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee revoked a restaurant's licence in September 2026. Source
  2. Greenwich Council's Licensing Committee appointed members to its Licensing Sub-Committees for 2026/27 in May 2026. Source
  3. Newham's Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee granted a late-night licence to Sweets Town in April 2026. Source
  4. Newham's Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee granted a new restaurant licence for R3 Restaurant in April 2026. Source
  5. Newham's Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee granted a late-night licence to Topps Pizzas in April 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Restaurant licence revoked over illegal working A Newham restaurant has had its licence revoked after illegal working was discovered on its premises, leading to concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder. Newham 10 September 2026
  2. Greenwich Council Appoints Licensing Sub-Committees for 2026/27 Greenwich Council's Licensing Committee has officially established and appointed members to its Licensing Sub-Committees for the 2026/27 period. The decision was confirmed... Greenwich 3 June 2026
  3. Plaistow Dessert Shop Gains Late-Night Licence A dessert and hot food shop in Plaistow has been granted a licence to serve late-night refreshments until 4:00 AM, despite objections from local residents and a business owner. Newham 30 April 2026
  4. 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,... Newham 18 April 2026
  5. Newham council grants pizza shop late licence Newham Council has granted a late-night licence to Topps Pizzas, allowing the establishment to serve refreshments until 4:00 AM daily. The decision was made by the Licensing... Newham 11 April 2026
  6. Lambeth Police Seek Revocation of Aquarium Tapas Bar's License Lambeth Police are seeking the revocation of Aquarium Tapas Bar's license, citing multiple breaches of licensing objectives. The Metropolitan Police have raised concerns that... Lambeth 16 November 2025
  7. Beckton Residents Object to 6 AM Alcohol Sales at New Store Residents in Beckton have voiced their objections to a new store's application for a premises licence, specifically targeting the proposed 6 AM start time for alcohol sales. Newham 17 August 2025