PREMISES

The Chequers

121 North Street

Hornchurch

RM11 1ST

APPLICANT

Chief Officer of Police for Havering Borough

Details of requested licensable activities

The application is for an expedited review of the premises licence, submitted under the provisions of s.53A of this Act.  The Police contend that violent disorder occurred at the premises in the early hours of Wednesday 11 March 2026 into Thursday 12 March 2026.  Subsequent Police contact with the premises’ representatives revealed further licensing failures.  This expedited review application was subsequently submitted on 13 March 2026.

The relevant provisions of s.53A(2) require that:

On receipt of such a s.53A application, the relevant licensing authority must—

(a)       within 48 hours of the time of its receipt, consider under section 53B whether it is necessary to take interim steps pending the determination of a review of the premises licence; and

(b)       within 28 days after the day of its receipt, review that licence in accordance with section 53C and reach a determination on that review.

Section 53B defines interim steps thus:

The interim steps the relevant licensing authority must consider taking are—

(a)       the modification of the conditions of the premises licence;

(b)       the exclusion of the sale of alcohol by retail from the scope of the licence;

(c)        the removal of the designated premises supervisor from the licence;

(d)       the suspension of the licence.

Summary

The purpose of the interim hearing was to determine whether any interim steps are required pending the outcome of the full review hearing.  Any interim measures the Licensing Sub-Committee feel are necessary will have immediate effect.

Determination of application for an expedited review of the premises licence

Procedural Issue

1.         The Licensing Sub-Committee made the decision to exclude the public and members of the press from the hearing following PC Chris Stockman’s application that proceedings to be held in closed session.

2.         The Licensing Sub-Committee had regard to Regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 and also noted the Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the London Borough of Havering Constitution regarding exempt information. In particular, the Sub-Committee was mindful that the matter is under live investigation with suspects being bailed as investigations continue.

3.         The Sub-Committee was concerned that there should be no  prejudice to the holding of a fair trial and  therefore, in accordance with Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, the Sub-Committee  decided to exclude the public including the press from the hearing as it considered that the public interest in so doing outweighed the public interest in the hearing taking place in public.

Representations

4.         The Sub-Committee have considered an application by the Police for Interim Steps to be taken under section 53B of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known as The Chequers situated at 121 North Street Hornchurch RM11 1ST.

5.         The application was made on 13 March 2025, following violent disorder occurred at the Chequers Public House 121 North Street Hornchurch involving two groups totalling around 10 people. Punches & kicks were delivered by both parties resulting in chairs being toppled over & tables being moved. After a short break both parties continued fighting starting with one of the persons picking up & throwing a chair at another patron. Further punches & kicks were delivered by both parties including one kick being delivered to the head of someone who was on the floor. Chairs were used by persons & thrown at other persons involved. One of the persons involved received a cut to the head with first aid being administered by the venue. No SIA door staff were working (as per the licence) and bar staff later refused to provide statements to Police. The venue did not call the Police for assistance & no entry was made in their incident log book when Police visited on the 13th March 2026. Moreover, the venue appeared to be operating outside their licensable hours and CCTV footage appears to show the venue have been habitually operating outside of their licence & supplying alcohol after hours

6.         The Sub-Committee were cognisant that the police strongly believe that if the premises were to remain open, then there is a strong possibility of serious crime and/or serious disorder to reoccur due to the poor management of the premises. PC Stockman stated that the level of violence demonstrated by the patrons was relatively very serious compared to the usual pub fights he has witnessed as an experienced police officer. The serious violence exacerbated with the breach of conditions such as operating outside the licensable hours and not adding the incident to a log book, lead the police to seek suspension of the licence as an interim step pending the substantial review hearing.

7.         The Sub-Committee noted that the incident met the test for what amounted to “serious crime” under s81(3) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the relevant certificate was provided by Supt. Sharon Brin.

Decision

8.         The Sub-Committee were satisfied that it is necessary to take interim steps pending the review hearing.

9.         The Sub-Committee decided that the PREMISES LICENCE WILL BE SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

10.       In reaching its decision the Sub-Committee considered the various interim steps available to them;

Modification of the conditions on the premises licence

11.       Given the seriousness of the incident, which was exacerbated by;

a.         The Police only being informed of the serious disorder by a member of the public and no call being made to the police by the premises,

b.         The premises had been providing alcohol to patrons beyond their licensing hours and

c.         The Sub-Committee’s view on CCTV footage that staff appeared to have lost complete control over the situation,

The Sub-Committee found that no modification of the licence can allay the risk of serious crime and serious disorder as an interim step and the Sub – Committee had real concern that the premises had not adhered to the conditions of their licence.

Exclusion of the sale of alcohol

12.       The Sub-Committee found that the exclusion of the sale of alcohol is ineffective to prevent further serious crime and serious disorder.

Removal of the Designated Premises Supervisor

13.       The Sub-Committee found that removal of the Designated Premises Supervisor is unlikely to prevent the risk of serious crime and disorder in the interim pending review in that this step does not address the fear of reprisals.

The Suspension of the Licence

14.       The Sub-Committee noted that the police, who are the Sub-Committee’s main source of advice in respect of crime and disorder, had requested that the licence should be suspended as an interim step, and positively confirmed that suspension is the only step to prevent further serious crime and serious disorder at the premises.

15.       The Sub-Committee noted that the Police believe that the premises have likely to breached their licensing conditions which may have facilitated the serious incident on 11 March 2026.

16.       The Sub-Committee considered the practical implication of suspension in relation to the premises but found suspension not to be a disproportionate interim step and an appropriate immediate measure and therefore imposed suspension of the licence as an interim step.