Decision Maker: Licensing Sub Committee C

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 2, 2025

Purpose:

Content:  DECISION NOTICE 1. Nwcke Victor Okafor (“the Applicant”) applied for a new Premises Licence on 1st August 2025 for Traffik Bar and Restaurant, 216 Deptford High Street, London SE8 3PR (“the Premises”). 2. The application was made and advertised by Nwcke Victor Okafor for his business. To ensure the application was advertised in accordance with Regulation 25 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005, the consultation period was extended so the last date for representations was 5th September 2025. 3. The particulars proposed for the premise licence were: Particulars of Application Sale of alcohol for consumption ON the premises. 11:00 – 01:00 [00:00] Sunday to Thursday 11:00 – 03:00 [02:00] Friday and Saturday Late Night Refreshment and Recorded Music 23:00 – 01:00 [00:00] Sunday to Thursday 23:00 – 03:00 [02:00] Friday and Saturday 4. Eleven representations were received from local residents on the grounds that the application does not promote the Licensing Objectives, in particular, the prevention of public nuisance; the prevention of crime and disorder; the protection of children from harm as well as public safety. The representations were received within the specified time, were examined by Officers and were not considered to be vexatious or frivolous. 5. The Applicant offered conditions as part of the application, appearing in Section M of the form. Representations were received from the Police and the Licensing authority but following an agreement with the applicant to include additional conditions from both authorities, the Police and the Licensing authority withdrew their objections. 6. The additional agreed conditions appear in the Agenda in section 9.4 on pages 42 to 44 inclusive. They included a reduction in hours of operation with earlier ending times, with amendments as set out in paragraph ‘3’ above in brackets and heavy type. No other Responsible Authority made any representations. 7. The Licensing Sub-Committee C held a meeting on the 2nd of October 2025 to consider the Application. Safer Communities, Licensing Officer, Angela Mullin-Murrell, introduced the report. The Applicant’s agent, Arka Licensing, then addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the premises licence application. He was allowed a fixed period of time and answered Members’ questions. Of the members of the public, local residents, who had submitted written representations objecting to the grant of the licence, six attended and spoke at the meeting. They were allowed an equal amount of time and answered the questions put to them by Members. The Applicant was given an opportunity at the end to briefly sum up and then each of the objectors were allowed to briefly sum up their position. 8. In making its decision the Sub-Committee has considered all the papers contained in the report pack and submitted documents, including written submissions, together with the oral submissions presented by the Applicant’s agent and the six objectors at the hearing. The Sub-Committee also considered the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25 and the latest Home Office Statutory Guidance, revised in December 2023. 9. The decision of the Sub-Committee is to grant the premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, and for late night refreshment and recorded music, a. With hours modified as follows: Sale of alcohol for consumption ON the premises. 11:00 – 00:00 Sunday to Thursday 11:00 – 01:00 Friday and Saturday Late Night Refreshment and Recorded Music 23:00 – 00:00 Sunday to Thursday 23:00 – 01:00 Friday and Saturday b. And otherwise in accordance with the additional conditions agreed by the applicant with the licensing authority and the police.: 10. The Sub-Committee’s reasons for taking this decision are: a. The character of the venue was in the nature of late opening restaurant and bar, a lounge rather than a night club. b. The Sub-Committee noted the local objectors concerns over noise nuisance emanating from the premises and from people arriving and leaving, particularly into the early hours. c. The sub-Committee noted that a comprehensive series of additional conditions had been agreed by the operator with the local authority and police that would promote the licencing objectives. d. The Sub-Committee noted that on the Premises becoming operational, if the licence conditions were not complied with it was open for any person to instigate the licence review process. 11. There is a right of appeal against this decision. Any appeal should be made to the Magistrates’ court within 21 days beginning with the day on which the Appellant 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. 2nd October 2025