Decision

APPLICATION

The Sub-Committee considered an application by AFC Lewisham CIC for a new time-limited premises licence under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The application sought authorisation for the following licensable activities for the period 11 June 2026 to 31 July 2026:

Licensable Activities (Indoors)

·        Films

·        Live Music

·        Recorded Music

·        Performance of Dance

·        Anything of a similar description to live or recorded music or dance

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 23:30

·        Late Night Refreshment (Indoors)

Monday to Sunday: 23:00 – 23:30

·        Supply of Alcohol (On the Premises)

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 23:30

The application also sought non-standard timings to extend licensable activities beyond core hours in relation to selected FIFA World Cup fixtures.

REPRESENTATIONS

The Sub-Committee considered written and oral representations from:

·        The Applicant

·        Responsible Authorities

·        Interested Parties

RELEVANT LEGISLATION & GUIDANCE

In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee had regard to:

·        Licensing Act 2003

·        Section 182 Guidance issued under the Licensing Act 2003

·        Royal Borough of Greenwich Statement of Licensing Policy

·        The Human Rights Act 1998

The Sub-Committee also had regard to the four licensing objectives:

·        Prevention of Crime and Disorder

·        Prevention of Public Nuisance

·        Public Safety

·        Protection of Children from Harm

DETERMINATION

The Sub-Committee RESOLVED to GRANT IN PART the application for a time-limited premises licence.

DECISION

1. Grant in Part

The licence is granted subject to the following conditions and limitations.

1. Permitted Hours (Core Hours Only)

Licensable Activities (Indoors Only)

·        Films

·        Live Music

·        Recorded Music

·        Performance of Dance

·        Anything of a similar description

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 23:00

·        Supply of Alcohol (On the Premises)

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 23:00

·        Late Night Refreshment

Not authorised

1. Non-Standard Timings

The Sub-Committee REFUSED the application for non-standard timings relating to extended hours for selected FIFA World Cup fixtures.

REASONS FOR DECISION

In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee had regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the Section 182 Guidance (“S.182 Guidance”), and the Royal Borough of Greenwich Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Sub-Committee noted that, in accordance with paragraph 9.42 of the S.182 Guidance, each application must be considered on its own merits and that conditions should only be imposed where necessary and proportionate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee also had regard to the principles set out in paragraph 1.17–1.18 of the S.182 Guidance, that licensing decisions must be evidence-based, proportionate, and represent a balance between the rights of the applicant and the protection of the wider community.

The Sub-Committee accepted that the premises is an established venue capable of hosting regulated entertainment, including televised sporting events, and noted the time-limited nature of the application.

However, Members were not satisfied that the grant of the full extent of the non-standard hours sought would be consistent with the promotion of the licensing objectives.

Prevention of Public Nuisance

Having regard to paragraphs 2.15–2.17 and 10.10 of the S.182 Guidance, the Sub-Committee considered that extended late-night operation would increase the risk of noise nuisance arising from patron behaviour both inside and outside the premises, particularly during dispersal periods.

The proximity of residential premises heightened the likelihood of disturbance, particularly following evening fixtures.

Public Safety

In accordance with paragraph 2.8 of the S.182 Guidance, the Sub-Committee considered that extended hours would increase risks associated with crowd density, external congregation, and dispersal management.

These risks were considered to be heightened during high-attendance fixtures, including England matches and later-stage tournament games.

Prevention of Crime and Disorder

Having regard to paragraphs 2.1 and 2.5 of the S.182 Guidance, the Sub-Committee considered that extended late-night alcohol-led activity would increase the risk of alcohol-related disorder and antisocial behaviour during peak dispersal periods.

Protection of Children from Harm

The Sub-Committee had regard to paragraph 2.21 of the S.182 Guidance, noting that late-night operation increases the likelihood of children being present in or near the premises at unsocial hours, particularly during family-oriented sporting events.

BALANCING EXERCISE AND PROPORTIONALITY

In accordance with the S.182 Guidance, the Sub-Committee undertook a balancing exercise between the applicant’s commercial interests and the potential adverse impact on the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee concluded that the identified risks could be appropriately mitigated through:

·        restriction to core hours, and

·        the imposition of targeted, enforceable conditions.

This approach was considered consistent with paragraph 9.43 of the S.182 Guidance, which states that conditions should be tailored to the specific risks arising from the premises.

The Sub-Committee therefore considered that a grant in part, limited to core hours with additional conditions, was a proportionate and necessary response.

CONDITIONS

In attaching conditions, the Sub-Committee had regard to paragraph 10.2 of the S.182 Guidance, which encourages the use of clear, enforceable, and proportionate conditions directly linked to the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee further noted the Licensing Officer’s recommendation that conditions set out at paragraph 2.6 of the report be applied insofar as they do not conflict with the Sub-Committee’s decision or any additional conditions imposed. This approach was adopted to ensure flexibility in implementation whilst maintaining regulatory control and enforceability.

Additional Conditions

(Conditions remain as previously set out in full in the Sub-Committee report, including but not limited to:)

·        Smoking area management conditions

·        External area restrictions

·        Dispersal policy requirements

·        Stewarding requirements

·        Contact availability and complaints log

·        Event-specific risk-based staffing requirements

RIGHT OF APPEAL

The Applicant and any person who made relevant representations may appeal this decision to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of receipt of this notice.