Decision Maker: Licensing Sub-Committee C

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 12, 2025

Purpose:

Content: In reaching its decision, the Licensing Sub-Committee (“LSC”) considered the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Regulations made thereunder, and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under S.182 of that Act. In discharging its functions, the LSC did so with a view to promoting the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.    Having considered all written representations, evidence, and oral submissions, the LSC resolved to grant a premises licence for 9 festival days per calendar year.   Permitted Licensable Activities:   Plays, Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Performance of Dance, and Anything of a Similar Description (both indoors and outdoors)  Monday to Sunday from 12:00 hours until 23:00 hours.    Supply of Alcohol (for consumption on the premises only):  Monday to Sunday from 12:00 hours until 22:30 hours.    Opening Hours:  Monday to Sunday from 12:00 hours until 24:00 hours.      The Premises Licence shall be subject to the following conditions:     1) A maximum of 9 event days per calendar year are permitted. For 2026 only 8 event days are permitted.    2) Prior to agreeing dates for the events taking place under the licence, consultation with both Universities (University of Greenwich and Trinity College), will be undertaken and their agreement will be sought a minimum of 42 days in advance of any proposed event date. Written evidence of this consultation will be kept by the licence holder and presented to the Local Authority on request.   (3) The exact date of each event shall be agreed with the Licensing Authority and Safety Advisory Group (SAG) a minimum of 28 days before the event date.   (4) The precise site layout and location within the event site shall be agreed with the SAG at least 6 weeks before the event date..   (5) The precise capacity for each event shall be agreed with the Licensing Authority and SAG a minimum of 12 weeks before the event date.   (6) The licence holder shall present the General Management and Event Planning for each event to the SAG a minimum of 6 weeks before each event date.   (7) A Challenge 25 Policy will be in operation at all bars. Clear signage will be in place informing customers of this policy. The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) will ensure that all staff are trained on the acceptable forms ID.   (8) Entry to Events shall be by ticket only.   (9) The events shall have in place a system for counting in the people entering the event site to ensure that the permitted capacity is not exceeded and provide, on demand, the number of people on site at any point in time to authorised officers and the Police.   (10) Locked amnesty bins shall be provided for the disposal of surrendered or confiscated items, and other waste.   (11) An event and site-specific Event Safety Management Plan will be developed and be approved by the Licensing Authority and SAG a minimum of 4 weeks before the event date or other timescale as defined by the SAG chair. Thereafter, the premises shall be run in accordance with the approved event management plan.   (12) The ESMP shall include details on the following subjects: Event Risk Assessments, Event Schedule, Site Plan, Fire Risk Assessment, Security & Crowd Management Plan, Drugs Policy, Liquids Policy, Alcohol Management Plan, Traffic Management Plan, Egress / Dispersal Plan, Waste Management Plan, Medical Management Plan, Adverse Weather Plan, Crisis Communication Plan, Noise Management Plan, Sanitation Plan, Child Welfare/Vulnerable Persons Policy. These documents will be ‘living documents’ which will be reviewed and revised in the planning phases of the events.   (13) The written Egress/Dispersal plan shall be kept at the premises with the premises licence and made available for inspection by authorised council and licensing officers or the police. All relevant staff shall be trained in the implementation of the dispersal policy.   (14) The Premises Licence Holder shall engage with freely available Counter-Terrorism advice and guidance through Counter-Terrorism Protect Officers and Counter-Terrorism Security Advisors.   (15) Counter Terrorism training shall be undertaken by the Event Management Team, PLH, DPS, Head of Security. All Bar Managers and staff shall be fully briefed about responsibilities for Public Safety. Such training is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/act-awareness-elearning or via the local Counter Terrorism Protect Officer (CTPO).   (16) An accredited security and stewarding company will be appointed to ensure public safety and to prevent crime and disorder.   (17) The ESMP Security & Crowd Management Plan (CMP) will detail the number, position and roles of the Security and Stewarding staff working at the event. The CMP shall precisely detail the level of search of those attending the event. Searches of those attending the events shall be carried out by SIA Registered staff of the same sex.   (18) The Drugs Policy will include New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and No2/NOS/Nitrous Oxide and any other controlled or unlawful substances found on entry shall be confiscated. Anyone found with such drugs and substances within the site premises shall be refused entry and the Police informed immediately.   (19) Anyone found with an offensive weapon on entry shall be refused admittance and the Police informed immediately.   (20) Each bar on site shall have a dedicated bar manager or supervisor and team who shall be conversant with the requirements and responsibilities for the sale of alcohol.   (21) The DPS, or their authorised representative, shall brief all bar staff before each event. A record of this briefing shall be kept on site.   (22) All drinks shall only be sold in open cans, plastic cups or PET containers. No glass containers or vessels shall be permitted into the event site with the exception of artists, hospitality and premium table areas. The PLH shall have measures in place to prevent glass containers or items from being taken into the general event areas.   (23) The Premises Licence Holder (PLH) shall carry out a Medical Risk Assessment as approved by the Medical representative of the SAG, and in accordance with the "purple guide" and HSG195 to determine the level of First Aid provision for the event, such that there is no undue demand on National Health Service resources.   (24) All emergency exits, toilets and first aid posts shall be clearly indicated by means of signage, such that it is visible to attendees.   (25) Firefighting equipment shall be provided throughout the site. Locations and numbers will be specified in the ESMP.   (26) A queuing system shall be designed and implemented at the main entrance to minimise waiting time whilst maintaining crowd safety.   (27) Crowd Management Stewards tasked with entry lane queue management shall wear Hi-Visibility tabards.   (28) Loudhailers will be available to assist Stewards in providing information to customers regarding delays and other pertinent information.   (29) The number of Stewards and Marshals deployed to manage the egress phase of the events shall be agreed with the Police representatives of the SAG. These Stewards and Marshals will wear Hi-Visibility tabards. The number, role and position of these staff will be detailed in the ESMP and relevant appendices.   (30) The Traffic Management Plan (TMP) will be developed following consultation and in accordance with the recommendations and advice of the Highways Authority and Transport for London. The TMP will make alternative provision for the existing cycle route through the premises. The TMP will be adhered to during the event.   (31) No waste glass or similar items shall be disposed of (“bottling out”) between the hours of 20:00 – 08:00.   (32) The PLH shall have in place an arrangement (contract) with a reputable Waste Management Company to manage the event site and externally affected areas for the duration of the event and a post event clean up.   (33) Events shall be categorised as either 18+ or Family Friendly Events. During “18+ events” no person under the age of 18 will be permitted to enter the event site. “18+ events” shall operate a ‘No ID, No Entry’ Policy.   (34) A Child Welfare and Vulnerable Person procedure will be in place and will be detailed in the ESMP. This will outline action to be taken in the event that under 18’s attempt to gain entry to the event or are discovered within the event perimeter.   (35) For “Family Friendly Events” the following conditions will apply: For the purpose of this Premises Licence, the definition of a “Child” is   considered anyone who has not reached the age of 18. A child must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. Parents/Carers will be responsible for their child whilst on site and will be advised that they shall always supervise their children. Each adult (over the age of 21) will be allowed to be responsible for a maximum of 4 children. Wristbands will be provided on entry to all children to allow parents/carer to write their phone number on the inside of the wristband. A dedicated Lost Child Point will be set up and staffed by DBS checked staff (minimum of 2 on duty at all times).   (36) The Premises shall not be used for licensable activities under the terms of this Premises Licence until an appropriate Noise Management Plan has been approved by the Royal Borough of Greenwich Environmental Health, Community Protection Team. The Noise Management Plan shall be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the event, or other timescale as defined by the SAG chair. Thereafter, Regulated Entertainment falling within the ambit of the Noise Management Plan must be conducted in accordance with the terms of that Plan. Any amendments or changes to the Noise Management Plan shall have to be approved in writing by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.   (37) Sound checks shall be conducted before and during the event to ensure compliance with local noise levels, set at 65dB LAeq 15 mins (measuring points defined within the Noise Management Plan). The licence holder shall appoint a qualified Sound Control Manager with demonstrable experience in sound engineering and noise control. The Sound Control Manager shall have the authority to control music volume, including lowering or stopping performances to comply with the noise limit. They shall adjust overall volume and equalisation as needed. If noise levels exceed the limit, the Sound Control Manager shall take immediate action to reduce the volume.   (38) The event organisers shall provide to the Council’s Community Protection Team, unrestricted access to the event and provide contact details for the site management team in the event the council receives complaints of noise nuisance. Contact Details to be provided prior to the event.   (39) The event organisers shall conduct a letter drop to the nearest noise sensitive properties advising them of the event and complaints process. this will be as per the map below:         (40) A copy of the template letter provided to residents to be included in the Noise Management Plan.   (41) The event organisers shall provide to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Environmental Health, Community Protection Team:   A clear outline of the direction of the speakers for the event & the points they intend to conduct their noise measurements. These shall include points on: Maze Hill, Park Row, Nelson Road, Welland Street. A diagram of the layout of the event including the direction of the speakers to be included in the Noise Management Plan. After the event has concluded, the event organiser shall provide to the Council’s Community Protection Team: A copy of the complaints Log made by residents during events conducted by Labyrinth. A copy of the DB readings captured at the separate points.   (42) No licensable activities are permitted until the surrender of the premises licence held by the Applicant which permits 6 festival events day per calendar year.    Basis of Decision   In reaching its decision the LSC gave due regard to there being no representations from Responsible Authorities other than Environmental Health with whom the Applicant had agreed licence conditions to mitigate and prevent noise and public nuisance.   The LSC gave full regard to the written representations of residents opposing the application on public nuisance grounds and the noise, and anti-social behaviour that originated from the festival events in summer 2025. The LSC noted the representations regarding the duration of the festival being longer than other festivals. The LSC noted that none of the residents had been able to attend the hearing. The East Greenwich Residents Association did not oppose the grant of a licence for 6 festival days.   The LSC received submissions on behalf of the Applicant, highlighting the written submissions and documents submitted to the LSC in advance of the hearing, confirming that the existing premises licence for 6 festival days held by the applicant would be surrendered if the application for the 9 festival days were to be granted, offering to only hold events for 8 days in 2026 following engagement with residents, there would not be block events on consecutive days for which the number of events days permitted, week day events were unlikely. The condition relating to drugs and other controlled substances was clarified, that drugs and other substances would be confiscated at entry and only then would anyone found in possession allowed into the event. Confirmation was given to the LSC that there would be no fireworks after 11pm at any event and there had not been any after 11pm in 2025.   The submissions for the Applicant included that there were a small number of objections to the application in contrast to the positive response to the 2025 and future events. The applicant was engaging positively with the Safety Advisory Group, had consulted with Tower Hamlets environmental health service relating to noise nuisance and who had not objected to the application, with conditions agreed with RB Greenwich environmental health to prevent noise nuisance.   The LSC heard submissions from the acoustics expert for the applicant and the measures taken to prevent noise nuisance and how bass low level frequency noise could and would be mitigated.   It was confirmed for the applicant and the Naval College that the public cycle route through the college premises would be subject to minimal disruption with alternative provision being made available on event days.    The LSC resolved that the measures that would be in place and the approvals required from the Safety Advisory Group, and the conditions imposed to prevent noise nuisance will uphold the licensing objectives.       Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee may appeal to the magistrates’ court within 21 days.