Cauliflower Ilford Applies for 4am Alcohol Licence from Redbridge Council

Key Points

• Operators of The Cauliflower pub on High Road, Ilford, have applied to Redbridge Council for a new premises licence to serve alcohol until 4am.
• The application includes extended opening hours for public access from 12pm to 4am, Monday to Sunday.
• Redbridge Council’s licensing policy emphasises the need to balance business interests with public safety, crime prevention, and community concerns.
• The area is subject to ‘cumulative impact zones’ (CIZs), which are designed to limit late-night alcohol sales due to concerns over crime and antisocial behaviour.
• Applications in CIZs are more likely to be refused or restricted, especially for extended hours.
• Local residents and responsible authorities can submit objections or representations to the council regarding the application.
• The council’s decision will depend on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate robust measures to prevent nuisance, crime, and disorder.
• The Cauliflower’s operators must show compliance with the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.
• No public statement has yet been issued by Redbridge Council or The Cauliflower’s management regarding the application’s progress.

The operators of The Cauliflower, a prominent public house and restaurant on High Road, Ilford, have formally applied to Redbridge Council for permission to serve alcohol until as late as 4am, prompting scrutiny under the borough’s strict licensing regime and cumulative impact policies.

What Are the Details of The Cauliflower’s Licensing Application?

As reported by the Public Notice Portal, 553 The Cauliflower Public House Ltd has submitted an application to the London Borough of Redbridge Council seeking a new premises licence. The application proposes that The Cauliflower Restaurant and Bar be permitted to open to the public and serve alcohol from 12pm to 4am every day of the week. This represents a significant extension of operating hours compared to standard pub closing times.

The public notice, required by law, invites comments and objections from local residents, businesses, and responsible authorities, who have a set period to make written representations to the council’s licensing team.

Why Is the Application Significant for Ilford and Redbridge?

According to Sebastian Mann of the Yellow Advertiser, the application comes at a time when Redbridge Council has taken a tougher stance on late-night alcohol sales, particularly in areas with high levels of crime and antisocial behaviour. In 2020, the council designated parts of the borough, including Gants Hill, Ilford Town, and South Woodford, as ‘cumulative impact zones’ (CIZs). These zones were introduced to address the proliferation of licensed premises and the associated risks of disorder and nuisance.

As reported by Sebastian Mann for the Yellow Advertiser:
“Applications for new bars or shops selling alcohol within a CIZ are likely to be turned down by Redbridge Council. Shops are also unlikely to be allowed to extend their opening hours”.

The Cauliflower’s location in Ilford Town means its application will be assessed in the context of these cumulative impact policies, making approval for late-night hours less likely unless the operators can provide compelling evidence of robust management and community safety measures.

What Is Redbridge Council’s Licensing Policy on Late-Night Alcohol Sales?

Redbridge Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, revised in 2020, sets out clear expectations for all premises seeking to sell alcohol or provide late-night refreshment. The council’s licensing objectives are:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm

The policy states that applications for late-night licences must demonstrate how the operators will manage risks such as noise, disorder, and the safe dispersal of patrons. The council also consults with the police, fire authority, public health officials, and local residents before making a decision.

From Redbridge Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy:
“Ensuring applicants for licences provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate they will not cause or contribute to public nuisance to residents. This includes issues pertaining to noise from the arrival and dispersal of patrons and entertainment noise such as music”.

The council maintains that it will not impose blanket conditions but will assess each application on its merits, with particular scrutiny for those in CIZs or seeking late-night extensions.

How Can Residents and Authorities Respond to the Application?

As outlined in the Licensing Members Bulletin and the Public Notice Portal, any individual or organisation can submit written objections or representations to the Licensing Case Officer at Redbridge Council within the statutory consultation period. These representations must be based on the four licensing objectives and may include concerns about noise, crime, disorder, or the impact on local children and families.

If objections are received, the application will be referred to a Licensing Sub-Committee for a public hearing, where both the applicant and objectors can present their cases before a decision is made.

What Are the Next Steps in the Licensing Process?

The application for The Cauliflower’s late-night licence is currently under consultation. The council will consider all representations before making a decision. If the licence is granted, it may include specific conditions to mitigate risks, such as security requirements, noise controls, or limits on the sale of high-strength alcohol.

If the application is refused, the operators have the right to appeal the decision through the magistrates’ court system.

Neither Redbridge Council nor The Cauliflower’s management has issued a public statement at this stage regarding the outcome or anticipated next steps