Issue - meetings

To consider an application for the granting of a new Premises Licence.

Application for the grant of a new premises license under the Licensing Act 2003 – Milcana Café Annexe, 50 Park Lane, Tottenham, London, N17 0JS

The Licensing Sub-Committee (“the LSC”) carefully considered the above application.

In considering the application, the LSC took account of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”), the Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 in February 2025 (“the section 182 guidance”), the Haringey Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026, the report pack, and representations from the applicant and objectors.

Having considered the application and heard from all the parties, the LSC decided to GRANT the license subject to one modification, as set out below.

Reasons

Written representations received

The LSC received the following evidence:

1. A report from the Licensing Team Leader, Daliah Barrett.
2. The application from Olu Olusola, agent on behalf of Jirom Menghis Woldemichael, an individual trading as Milcana Café.
3. Written representations from the Metropolitan Police dated 22 July 2026.
4. Written representations from local residents.

Oral representations received

The LSC heard from:

1. The Licensing Team Leader, Daliah Barrett.
2. Ms Milcana Tesfay on behalf of the applicant.

Ms Tesfay made the following representations. While not seeking to record everything said during the course of the hearing, the LSC noted and placed reliance on the following points in particular:

Ø  The premises for which the license was sought was an annexe to a long-standing Ethiopian and Eritrean café, opened to provide a space for playing the game Gebeta (this did not appear to be written in the application, and the LSC understands that different spellings may be used). Patrons are charged based on the time spent playing.

Ø  This premises will always remain ancillary to the adjoining café. The same person supervises both.

Ø  Gambling of any kind on the outcome of the games is strictly prohibited. Notwithstanding some of the suggestions in some of the representations, drug use is also strictly prohibited; staff are instructed to call the police if this is ever observed, but the reality is that it just doesn’t happen.

Ø  It was true that there was an incident over a year ago where a customer was stabbed. However, without seeking to minimise this, it was important to put the premises’ role in context:

o   The victim and perpetrator were known to each other and there had been previous issues between them.

o   The perpetrator had entered the café earlier but only purchased coffee, no alcohol.

o   The perpetrator saw the victim enter, attacked them, and left.

o   Staff promptly called the emergency services, provided all CCTV to the police, and encouraged witnesses to remain to speak to the police.

Ø  24h CCTV, including 4k recording and audio, has already been installed. It has a dedicated internet connection, and will be stored for 31 days as standard. It will be provided to the Police on request.

Ø  A deliberate decision was taken to not provide WiFi to customers, so as to not encourage noisy streaming of music etc.

Ø  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.