Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Post Bar owners seek Haringey Council approval to sell alcohol aboard De Zwann, a converted boat moored on the River Lee Navigation.
Although the applicant, The Post Tottenham Ltd., which also owns and runs The Post Bar on Tottenham High Road, intended to trade on the council-managed section of the river, De Zwann has a permanent mooring at the Stonebridge South mooring area.
The application suggested arranging many tables and chairs next to the boat during trading hours in areas like Hale Wharf, where there is “natural public space available” and the towpath widens.
Members of the licensing subcommittee of the Haringey council, however, voted against the application, stating that authorization from the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which is in charge of the waterway, was required.
In its verdict, the committee said:
“Without a major change in position by the Canal & River Trust, any licence granted could not be implemented.
The committee considered granting a licence conditioned to become operative only upon all relevant CRT licences and approvals being obtained, but felt that it was impractical to draft conditions to try to anticipate the form such licences and approvals would take.
The panel was also conscious that any approval for a location other than the immediate area of Lock 17 [Hale Wharf] would potentially carry different implications for the advancement of the licensing objectives.”
Since the trust, not the council, was in charge of managing the river, licensing team leader Daliah Barrett claimed at the hearing that the owners had put the “cart before the horse” by failing to get approval from the CRT first.
The committee also mentioned in its decision notice that the CRT, the noise team, and the Metropolitan Police had all raised objections based on “drinking near water” and public safety.
The installation of CCTV, a log book, music volume control, and CRT’s approval to permanently moor the vessel were among the requirements the police wanted set in place.
The De Zwann was “only licensed for leisure purposes,” according to the CRT’s written answer to the application, and the trust was unable to “support” the owner’s application for a roving trader license to sell alcohol.
According to the CRT, a “fixed location trade boat” would be the only “viable model,” and they did not think the area close to Lock 17 was a suitable place to moor.
How does licensing for boats like De Zwann differ from land-based venues in Haringey?
Boats used for commercial purposes (such as a bar on a converted boat) require a Pleasure Boat Licence (or a similar boat operator licence), which covers safety, suitability of the vessel, and qualifications/licensing of the boat operator. This is distinct from a premises licence on land which focuses on premises safety, alcohol sale regulations, noise control, and public safety relevant to static venues.
The boat licensing is typically handled by local council licensing teams but involves maritime regulations and safety inspections conducted by approved marine inspectors or qualified persons, something not required for land venues.
Boat licences often involve annual fees for each vessel and operator licence, and the application process includes detailed inspections and compliance with marine conditions.