Policy information sourced from the Tower Hamlets Local Plan

D.TC5 Food, drink, entertainment and the night-time economy

Cafés, restaurants and drinking establishments (use classes A3, A4 and AA) will be supported within the Central Activities Zone, Canary Wharf Major Centre, Tower Hamlets Activity Areas, District Centres and Neighbourhood Centres (as shown on the Policies Map) provided that:

  • it can be demonstrated that the overall vitality and viability of the town centre would be enhanced, and
  • where proposed within Primary or Secondary Frontages, the proportion of A1 (retail) units would not fall below the levels set out in Policy D.TC2.

Cafés/restaurants and drinking establishments (use classes A3 and A4) in Neighbourhood Parades and outside of the town centre hierarchy will only be supported provided that they meet the following criteria:

  • Cafés and restaurants (A3 uses) can demonstrate that the proposal would support surrounding uses and would not undermine the function of nearby town centres, or form part of a concentration of uses that would cumulatively cause harm to the viability of the borough’s town centres.
  • Drinking establishments (A4 and AA uses) will only be permitted where they are local in nature and scale.

Development of hot food takeaways (use class A5) will only be supported within the Central Activities Zone, Tower Hamlets Activity Areas, Canary Wharf Major Centre, Secondary Frontages of District Centres, Neighbourhood Centres or Neighbourhood Parades where they meet the following criteria:

  • There must be a separation of at least four non-A5 units between each new hot food takeaway unit.
  • The percentage of A5 units would not exceed 5% of the total number of units within Major, District or Neighbourhood Centres.
  • Within Neighbourhood Parades there would be no more than one A5 unit.
  • The proposal is not within 200 metres walking distance from an existing (or proposed) school and/or a local authority leisure centre.
  • The proposal will not harm the amenity of surrounding properties.

New betting offices/shops will only be supported within the Central Activities Zone, Tower Hamlets Activity Areas, Canary Wharf Major Centre or Secondary Frontages within District Centres; new amusement centres, casinos and lap-dancing clubs will only be supported within the Central Activities Zone, Tower Hamlets Activity Areas or Canary Wharf Major Centre. Such uses will be resisted where:

  • there is an over concentration of such uses which could give rise to negative cumulative social impacts
  • the site is in close proximity to a school or sensitive community, cultural or social facilities, and
  • the proposal would detrimentally impact the amenity and character of the area.

Development of entertainment venues within the D2 or sui generis use classes not referenced in Policy D.TC5 will be:

  • directed to the Central Activities Zone, Tower Hamlets Activity Areas, Canary Wharf Major Centre and the other town centres (except Neighbourhood Parades) where they are compatible with other uses within the town centre
  • only permitted within Neighbourhood Parades or nondesignated locations where:
    • it can be demonstrated that such uses will not result in adverse impacts on the amenity of the surrounding area
    • the location has good public transport accessibility, and
    • existing venues in town centres would not be undermined.

For more information please see the Local Plan