URL: https://hackney.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8745

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: 6.1  The sub committee heard from the Principal Licensing Officer, the Applicant, Responsible Authority for Environmental Health. The Environmental Protection have given the Licensing Authority and the premises user notice of objection to Temporary Event Notice for an event to be held on 31/12/2025 from 12:00 finishing on 01/01/2026 at 03:00am. The Licensing Authority have called the hearing to decide whether or not to allow the event to proceed.   6.2  During the course of submissions and a discussion of the application, the following points were noted:   ·  Environmental Protection objected to the Hoxton Howl Temporary Event Notice on public nuisance grounds, citing a history of 49 noise complaints since August 2022, including breaches witnessed by officers, an abatement notice served in August, and further complaints received in December. ·  The Premises Licence holders outlined measures implemented under new management to address noise and community impact, including installing air conditioning, relocating the smoking area away from residential streets, employing additional security, limiting capacity for New Year’s Eve, and engaging positively with the local community. ·  The Sub Committee was advised that existing premises licence conditions could not be enforced under a TEN. Environmental Protection raised ongoing concerns regarding the absence of a council-approved noise limiter and questioned whether recent measures were sufficient. ·  The Premises Licence holders acknowledged historical issues but stated that complaints had reduced since management changes, disputing the relevance of the December complaint and highlighting proactive engagement with residents and licensing initiatives. ·  Members questioned event planning, security, and risk management. The Premises Licence holders confirmed that three security staff would be in place and that senior management would be present throughout the event. ·  Although not legally required under a TEN, Howl at the Moon committed on record to complying with existing licence conditions relating to noise management, outdoor areas, and dispersal arrangements.   6.3  Environmental Protection maintained its objection due to the complaint history and recommended a monitoring period and installation of a council-approved noise limiter.     RESOLVED:   Counter Notice (Temporary Event Notice for 31 December 2025) Re: Howl at the Moon, 178 Hoxton Street, London N1 5LH The decision of 17th December 2025 The Licensing sub-committee, in considering this decision from the information presented to it within the report and at the hearing, has determined that having regard to the promotion of the licensing objectives:   ? The prevention of crime and disorder; ? Public safety; ? Prevention of public nuisance; and ? The protection of children from harm   And in particular upon consideration of the objection notice given by the Environmental Protection Service is satisfied that the proposed event would undermine the licensing objectives. Therefore, the Sub-Committee has served a counter notice.   Reasons for the decision   The Licensing Sub-Committee took into consideration the objection received from the Environmental Protection Service to the Temporary Event Notice for the period on 31/12/2025 from 12:00 finishing on 01/01/2026 at 03:00.   The Sub-Committee took into account the representations from the Environmental Protection Service that there were persistent noise issues citing 49 complaints from 13 complainants across 10 separate households between August 2022 to date. The complaints stemmed from loud amplified music and groups of patrons congregating outside, with officers having witnessed a statutory noise nuisance on 9 May 2025, and a Noise Abatement Notice was served on 14 August 2025. The Environmental Protection Officer made representations of two further complaints after the Abatement Notice was issued including one complaint on 5 December 2025.   The Sub-Committee took into account the representations from the Environmental Protection Service that they continued to have concerns about the premises, and they had not received confirmation that a noise limiter had been installed, which had been previously recommended by a ward officer. The Environmental Protection Officer read out a detailed complaint from 5 December 2025 referencing loud music, shouting, and congregation outside, despite the pub’s efforts.   The Sub-Committee heard that the Environmental Protection Service maintained their objection to this temporary event because of their concern that late-night events would cause further distress to local residents, especially given the history of noise complaints, and the statutory noise nuisance that was witnessed at the premises before and after the Noise Abatement Notice was issued.   The Sub-Committee took into consideration the Premises Users representations of the measures taken to mitigate noise and nuisance, including installing air conditioning, building a designated smoking area on Stanway Street (away from residential Hoxton Street), employing a new security team, and keeping capacity strictly below 100 people for the New Year’s Eve event. The Premises User made representations that they had fostered a sense of community and safety in the area.   The Sub-Committee heard the Premises User’s suggested measures to prevent noise nuisance. The Premises User also made representations about improvements to their security protocols and ensuring interior doors remain closed to mitigate noise issues.   The Sub-Committee took into account the Environmental Protection Service concerns about the track record of the premises that would undermine the licensing objectives and would have an impact on the area if this event was permitted.   The Sub-Committee felt that considerably more work is needed to satisfy them that noise from the premises would remain within acceptable levels.   The Sub-Committee took into account that there were previous noise complaints over a period which is significant. The Sub-Committee took into consideration the measures outlined by the Premises User were insufficient and the track record of the premises was poor. The Sub-Committee felt there were insufficient measures in place to protect residents from noise nuisance.   The Sub-Committee felt there were no reassurances from the Premises User that the noise problems would not reoccur.   The Sub-Committee felt the Environmental Protection Service evidence was very strong on why this temporary event should not take place. The Sub-Committee therefore considered that allowing this event to take place in accordance with the Temporary Event Notice would undermine the licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee decided that it was necessary and proportionate to issue a counter notice.

Date of Decision: December 17, 2025