The operators of the Cauliflower, in High Road, applied to Redbridge Council for permission to serve alcohol until as late as 4am.
They had originally sought permission to close at 5am on Thursdays through Saturdays, and at 4am on weekdays.
Following a visit from the police, they modified the proposed weekend closing time to 4am.
The boozer has been shut since 2018 when a fire damaged the building.
The venue would be split between a restaurant on the ground floor and a bar on the first floor.
The Metropolitan Police’s licensing department formally opposed the scheme, saying that offering a place for people to drink until the early hours could worsen problems with “noise and fighting” in the area.
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A representative from the Met said the force was “not averse” to the “grand historical building” reopening, but police could “only consider” the licensing objectives.
They said: “As much as people would like to see the building open, we would [only] like to see it open when it can uphold the licensing objectives.”
The four licensing objectives are the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm, as per the Licensing Act 2003.
The operators said they would be “willing to work with the police” and do not wish to contribute to crime in the area, at a licensing meeting on July 1.
A representative said the conditions offered, including drugs and weapons searches, were “robust” and would uphold the objectives.
They said: “It’s not in my client’s interests to annoy the local residents. These are the people who will likely go in there for a meal, if it’s open.
“You don’t upset the very people who will keep you in business.”
He stressed that the venue, despite the late hours, was not a nightclub.
He added that the previous history of brawls at the pub should not be taken into account as it was a separate business.
A major obstacle to the application is that the venue sits within a council-designated cumulative impact zone (CIZ).
Applications to alter licensing conditions for shops or bars within a CIZ are likely to be turned down by the council’s licensing subcommittee, as are any applications for new shops, unless the business owner can successfully argue it won’t adversely impact the area.
Councillors also attacked the proposals over the risk of intensifying antisocial behaviour and disorder.
Councillor Saima Ahmed said, in a written statement: “As of April 2025, the area reported an annual crime rate of 129.3 crimes per 1,000 people, with violent crimes constituting 29.2 per cent of all reported incidents.
“While these crimes are not directly linked to the Cauliflower pub, introducing extended operating hours for an alcohol-focused venue could potentially exacerbate existing issues related to crime and disorder in the vicinity.”
The applicants did not provide a plan for dispersing members of the public during the hearing, though its inclusion was offered as a condition on the licence.
A decision will be made in the next five days.
