Upminster Pub That Wants To Open Earlier And Play Music On Terrace Has Decision Delayed.

The decision on whether a popular pub in east London can serve beers from 10am has been delayed writes Sebastian Mann, local democracy reporter.

Errol Kiani, who owns BrewDog Upminster, applied to Havering Council earlier in mid-August to extend his licence for a pub in Upminster.

He was hoping to open his bar two hours earlier and get formal permission to play music on the rooftop terrace until 11pm.

Havering’s environment team proposed the venue adopt a noise management plan as a formal measure to prevent any public nuisance. Ahead of a licensing hearing on Tuesday, an officer said it would have “no objection” to the scheme if Kiani agreed.

The proprietor, however, said during the hearing he had not run a decibel test at the pub and could not knowingly commit to staying below an imposed limit.

The council’s licensing team had not managed to conduct a test either due to faulty equipment, which committee chair Councillor Philippa Crowder said was necessary for a decision to be made.

She said: “We can’t stab in the dark. We need that report in front of us to make a fair decision.”

The applicant, who has run the pub since it opened in October 2022, said he had not received a single noise complaint from residents in those three years.

He told the committee he “did his best” to keep noise down, closing double-glazed windows and turning down the bass on his speakers, after the health team warned it could “travel freely” from the open roof.

He added that he was “happy” to set a limit and was “certain” a noise management plan could be agreed upon.

Committee vice chair, Councillor Jane Keane, recommended the applicant “go away for another week or two” and come to a “viable agreement” with the licensing team.

She added: “We do want viable businesses and want you to have an entertaining business.”

But while there was no record of any complaints, the Labour councillor warned that by the time one was submitted, it could be “too late” and the “harm could have been done”.

No date for a follow-up hearing has been set.

The Scottish pub chain BrewDog is one of the largest in the UK.

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