HORNCHURCH CAFÉ WANTS TO SERVE ALCOHOL UNTIL MIDNIGHT AS RESIDENTS OBJECT
A new café in Hornchurch is seeking permission to serve alcohol until as late as midnight writes Sebastian Mann.
The operators of Black Loom have applied to Havering Council for a licence to serve alcohol until 11pm on Sundays through Thursdays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
The venue would be open from 8am seven days a week.
Black Loom would not allow ‘vertical drinking,’ meaning customers must be seated, and alcohol would only be served alongside a meal.
The application, submitted to Havering Council’s licensing department, says the venue will “operate as a lounge-style bistro with a seated café layout”.
Three residents have formally opposed the plans, citing concerns about noise and siruption in letters to the council.
One resident wrote that late opening hours could attract more people and, in turn, “increase noise pollution and public disorder”.
“There are already four licensed premises within a few hundred years of [Black Loom and] further licensed premises will attract more late-night revellers,” she wrote.
In a bid to mitigate any disruption for locals, Black Loom has agreed to install a “comprehensive digital colour CCTV system” covering all entrances and exits and to keep recordings for a minimum of 31 days.
Additionally, the venue will keep an incident log recording when customers are removed, any disorder, drug seizures, or refusals of service to a customer.
“Prominent” signage will be posted by the doors asking patrons to leave quietly and respect Black Loom’s neighbours.
Despite the three objections from residents, neither the council’s or the Metropolitan Police’s licensing teams opposed the scheme.
In a council report, the licensing department said Black Loom had “willingly engaged” with both teams and agreed to a thorough raft of conditions.
A decision on the application will be made by the licensing committee – composed of elected Reform councillors – next week.
Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!
We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.
Discover more from The Havering Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
