Decision

Decision Notice

Application and representations

1. On 4 September 2026 Mr Ali Hossin Moramazy (the Applicant), acting through Arka Licensing Consultants, applied for a new premises licence for Millwall Cafe, Unit 2-3 Enterprise Industrial Estate, Bolina Road, London SE16 3LF (the Premises). The application was processed on 7 September 2026.
2. The application was advertised in accordance with regulation 25 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005. The last date for representations was 2 October 2026.
3. The particulars proposed for the premises licence were:

Particulars of Application

Supply of alcohol for sale by retail for consumption ON the premises

10:00 – 23:00 Monday to Sunday

Opening hours of the premises

08:00 – 23:00 Monday to Sunday.

1. Three written representations were received from responsible authorities: one from the Licensing Authority acting in its capacity as a Responsible Authority and two representations from the Metropolitan Police. A further representation was received from Millwall Football Club. The Licensing Authority objected to the grant of the application on the grounds that it would undermine the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. The Metropolitan Police objected to the grant of the application on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Millwall Football Club also objected to the application, raising concerns in relation to crime and disorder, public safety and public nuisance, having particular regard to the location of the Premises in close proximity to the stadium and on established supporter routes. The representations were received within the specified period and were relevant representations.
2. A number of conditions were agreed between the Applicant and the Responsible Authorities prior to the determination of the application (the Agreed Conditions). The Agreed Conditions are set out in the Appendix to this Decision Notice.

The hearing

1. The Licensing Sub-Committee D held a meeting on 27 October 2026 to consider the Application. Angela Murrell, Safer Communities Licensing Officer, introduced the report. Suresh Kanapathi, the Applicant’s representative, was then invited to address the Sub-Committee in support of the application and answered Members’ questions. James Rankin (representing the Metropolitan Police) addressed the Sub-Committee in opposition to the application and answered Members’ questions. Kadene Lawford, on behalf of the Licensing Authority acting as a Responsible Authority, also addressed the Sub-Committee in opposition to the application and answered Members’ questions. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Applicant and the objectors were each given an opportunity to sum up their respective cases.
2. The Sub-Committee considered the report pack, the application, the written representations and supporting material, together with the oral submissions and answers to questions given at the hearing.
3. The Sub-Committee had regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the four licensing objectives, the Council Statement of Licensing Policy 2026-2031 and the Home Office statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Act.

Decision

1. The Sub-Committee decided to grant the premises licence for the supply of alcohol for consumption ON the premises from 10:00 to 23:00 every day, subject to the Agreed Conditions, and three additional home-match-day conditions set out below (the Additional Conditions):

SIA door supervision: On Millwall Football Club home match days, a minimum of one SIA-registered door supervisor, employed by an Accredited Contractor Scheme registered company, shall be on duty from two hours before kick-off until the match has finished and supporters have dispersed from the area.

Heras fencing: On Millwall Football Club home match days, the Premises shall provide and place a minimum six-foot Heras fence around the cafe outdoor seating area to provide a safe, secure and controlled area. The fencing shall remain in place until after the match has finished and supporters have dispersed from the area.

Restriction on alcohol sales: On Millwall Football Club home match days, no alcohol shall be sold or supplied during the 60 minutes before kick-off or during the 60 minutes after the match has ended. During the match, the designated premises supervisor shall conduct a risk assessment to consider whether alcohol sales should be suspended and shall refuse alcohol to any person known to have been removed from the match.

Reasons

1. Having regard to the relevant representations, the Sub-Committee considered what steps were appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.
2. Members accepted the Police evidence concerning the particular location of the Premises, including its close proximity to the stadium, its position on established supporter and away-coach routes, the concentration and movement of supporters on home match days and the associated risk of opposing groups coming together.
3. The Sub-Committee took account of the Applicant case that the cafe had operated on match days without previous incidents, that supporters already obtained alcohol elsewhere, that the Premises would remain principally a cafe, and that substantial safeguards had been proposed. Members also considered the submission that match-day risks varied and should be managed on a risk-assessed basis.
4. The absence of previous incidents was not determinative. The Premises had not previously been licensed to sell alcohol. Members were entitled to consider the prospective effect of introducing licensed alcohol sales at this particular location and accepted the Police evidence that this represented a material and foreseeable risk on home match days.
5. The Sub-Committee was not satisfied that the measures proposed by the Applicant were sufficient to address the risks identified in the Police evidence once licensed alcohol sales were introduced at the Premises. Members considered each of the three disputed conditions separately.
6. The SIA condition was considered appropriate to provide trained security personnel to assist with ingress, egress and customer behaviour during heightened match-day activity. Members considered that a fixed 10:00 start went further than necessary irrespective of kick-off time. Members concluded that a start time two hours before kick-off was more closely connected to the evidenced risk and was proportionate.
7. The Heras fencing condition was considered appropriate to provide a clear, secure and enforceable boundary to the external seating area. Members considered the Applicant concern that fencing could displace people onto the pavement, but accepted the Police evidence about the need for secure demarcation and effective control of the licensed area on home match days.
8. The restriction on alcohol sales was considered appropriate to address risks arising during supporter arrival and dispersal. Members specifically concluded that alcohol sales should cease 60 minutes before kick-off, rather than the 30-minute period proposed by the Applicant, and should not resume until 60 minutes after the match had ended. Members accepted the Police evidence that the 60-minute pre-match period coincides with the designated arrival period for away coaches and is important for managing and separating supporter groups.
9. The Sub-Committee was satisfied that the Agreed Conditions and the Additional Conditions, taken together, were appropriate and proportionate to address the identified risks and promote the prevention of crime and disorder. The risks could therefore be adequately addressed by conditions and refusal of the application was not necessary.

Right of appeal

1. There is a right of appeal against this decision to the Magistrates Court. Any appeal must be lodged within 21 days beginning with the day on which the person appealing was notified of the decision.

Any person who has given notice of appeal on a licensing decision to the Magistrates Court, or is considering doing so, should not approach council officers for legal advice. A person making an appeal should seek independent legal advice, for instance, from a firm of solicitors or the local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to assist.

APPENDIX

 Agreed Conditions

1. The premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system. All entry and exit points will be covered enabling frontal identification of every person entering in any light condition. The CCTV system shall continually record whilst the premises is open for licensable activities and during all times when customers remain on the premises. All recordings shall be stored for a minimum period of 31 days with date and time stamping. Recordings shall be made available immediately upon the request of Police or authorised officer throughout the preceding 31-day period.
2. A staff member from the premises who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be on the premises at all times when the premises are open to the public. This staff member must be able to show a Police or authorised council officer recent data or footage with the absolute minimum of delay when requested.
3. An incident log shall be kept at the premises, and made available on request to an authorised Local Authority or Police Officer, which will record the following:

a.      All crimes reported to the venue

b.      All ejections of patrons

c.       Any complaints received

d.      Any incidents of disorder

e.      Any faults in the CCTV system

f.        Any refusal of the sale of alcohol

g.      Any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service.

1. All staff authorised to sell alcohol shall receive training prior to undertaking such duties. Training shall include:

i.      Challenge 25;

ii.      Prevention of underage sales;

iii.      Recognising signs of intoxication;

iv.      Refusal of alcohol sales;

v.      Drugs awareness;

vi.      Safeguarding and identifying vulnerable persons.

Refresher training shall be provided at intervals not exceeding six months. Training records shall be kept on the premises and made available to authorised officers upon request.

1. A proof of age scheme, such as Challenge 25, must be operated at the premises where the only acceptable forms of identification are (recognized photographic identification cards, such as a driving license or passport / Holographical marked PASS scheme identification cards) appropriate signage must be displayed. Documents will be made available to the police or any other authorised officer upon request.
2. A telephone contact number for the duty manager or premises representative shall be displayed at the premises and provided to the Licensing Authority upon request for the purpose of addressing complaints relating to the operation of the premises.
3. During the hours of operation of the premises, the licence holder shall ensure sufficient measures are in place to remove and prevent litter or waste arising or accumulating from customers in the area immediately outside the premises, and that this area shall be swept and or washed, and litter and sweepings collected and stored in accordance with the approved refuse storage arrangements by close of business.
4. On all Millwall Football Club home match days, the designated premises supervisor or a personal licence holder, shall be present on the premises during all hours that alcohol is sold or supplied and shall actively monitor and manage the premises, including the external seating area, to prevent crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour and public nuisance.
5. No drinks shall be served in glass containers at any time during a match day played at Millwall Football Club. All bottles to be decanted when ordered.
6. On Millwall FC home match days, the sale of alcohol shall remain ancillary to the operation of the premises as a café. Alcohol shall not be advertised or promoted independently of food sales and the premises shall not operate primarily as a venue for the consumption of alcohol.
7. The external seating area shall not be used by customers after 22:00 hours. After 22:00 hours, no food, drink or seating shall be provided for customer use in the external area.
8. Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.
9. An incident log shall be kept at the premises, and made available on request to an authorised Local Authority or Police Officer, which will record the following: 

a.      All crimes reported to the venue. 

b.      All ejections of patrons. 

c.       Any complaints received. 

d.      Any incidents of disorder. 

e.      Any faults in the CCTV system. 

f.        Any refusal of the sale of alcohol. 

g.      Any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service. 

1. The Premises License Holder and/or Designated Premises Supervisor shall keep up to date policies and staff training records in relation to the following: Requirements of the Challenge 25 Scheme, drugs, identification and recognition of drunks, identification recognition and responsibilities of dealing with vulnerable persons and the correct procedures to be followed when refusing service regular training must be provided to all staff at least every six months, a record of the training will be maintained for at least 12 months. 
2. All documents of member of staff will be retained for a period of 12 months post termination of employment and will be made available to the police, immigration and/or Licensing officers upon reasonable request. 
3. New and seasonal staff must attend induction training and receive refresher training every six months. 
4. The premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system. All entry and exit points will be covered enabling frontal identification of every person entering in any light condition. The CCTV system shall continually record whilst the premises is open for licensable activities and during all times when customers remain on the premises. All recordings shall be stored for a minimum period of 31 days with date and time stamping. Recordings shall be made available immediately upon the request of Police or authorised officer throughout the preceding 31 day period. The CCTV should be updated and maintained according to police recommendations. 
5. A staff member who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be on the premises at all times when the premises are open to the public. This staff member must be able to show a Police or authorised council officer recent data or footage with the absolute minimum of delay when requested. 
6. The CCTV must cover all areas of the venue that the public have access to. There should be no obstructions to any internal cameras that creates areas that are not wholly covered by CCTV, apart from within toilet cubicles and directly covering men’s urinals. 
7. Notices shall be predominantly displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and business and leave the area quietly. 
8. A proof of age scheme, such as Challenge 25, must be operated at the premises where the only acceptable form of identification are (recognised photographic identification cards, such as driving license or passport/Holographical marked PASS scheme identification cards) appropriate signage must be displayed. 
9. All tills shall automatically prompt staff to ask for age verification identification when presented with an alcohol sale. 
10. A record shall be kept detailing all refused sales of alcohol. This record should include the date and time of the refused sale and the name of the member of staff  who refused the sale. The record shall be available for inspection at the premises by the police or an authorised officer of the Council at all times whilst the premises is open. 
11. No drinks shall be served in glass containers at any time during a match day played at Millwall Football Club. All bottles to be decanted when ordered. 
12. On Millwall FC home match days, the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises shall be ancillary to the operation of the premises as a café providing food and non-alcoholic refreshments. 
13. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reserve the right to suspend alcohol sales at the premises with immediate effect where a risk has been identified, the suspension of sales must be immediate when a direction has been given by an officer in uniform and the suspension timeframe must be provided. 
14. No sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises is allowed at any time during match days apart from the outside seated area attached to the café. 
15. Sales for consumption off the premises shall only be supplied with, and ancillary to a takeaway meal. 

Additional Conditions

1. On Millwall Football Club home match days, a minimum of one SIA-registered door supervisor, employed by an Accredited Contractor Scheme registered company, shall be on duty from two hours before kick-off until the match has finished and supporters have dispersed from the area.
2. On Millwall Football Club home match days, the Premises shall provide and place a minimum six-foot Heras fence around the cafe outdoor seating area to provide a safe, secure and controlled area. The fencing shall remain in place until after the match has finished and supporters have dispersed from the area.
3. On Millwall Football Club home match days, no alcohol shall be sold or supplied during the 60 minutes before kick-off or during the 60 minutes after the match has ended. During the match, the designated premises supervisor shall conduct a risk assessment to consider whether alcohol sales should be suspended and shall refuse alcohol to any person known to have been removed from the match.