The Licensing Sub-Committee considered three applications for premises licences. The application for The Empire Lounge was granted with amended hours, while the applications for Bobby's Bar and London Bridge Local were also granted.

The Empire Lounge, 777 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NZ

The sub-committee granted a premises licence for The Empire Lounge, located at 777 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NZ, with amended hours. The application, made by Speedlink Services Ltd, sought to extend operating hours for recorded music, late night refreshment, and alcohol sales.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, the Environmental Protection Team (EPT), and two other persons. The police objected due to the proposed hours exceeding those recommended in the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) for a restaurant in a residential area, raising concerns about potential increases in anti-social behaviour and negative impacts on licensing objectives. The EPT also objected, citing the proposed hours as outside the SoLP recommendations and highlighting a history of noise complaints and breaches of existing licence conditions, expressing limited confidence in the current management's ability to ensure compliance. The other persons objected based on concerns about noise nuisance, crime, and disorder stemming from the premises' previous operations.

During the hearing, the applicant's representative agreed to amend the application to seek extended hours only for Fridays and Saturdays. The sub-committee also noted that the applicant would endeavour to find alternatives to single-use plastics in the future. The sub-committee was satisfied that the amended application, along with proposed conditions, would address the concerns raised.

The granted licence includes the following hours:

• Recorded Music: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 00:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 02:00.
• Late Night Refreshment: Sunday to Thursday 23:00 to 00:00, Friday and Saturday 23:00 to 02:00.
• Sale by Retail of Alcohol (on premises): Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 00:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 02:00.
• Sale by Retail of Alcohol (off premises): Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 00:00.
• Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 00:30, Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 02:30.
• Non-Standard Timings: Extended hours for an additional hour on Easter weekend, May Bank Holidays, August Bank Holiday, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve.

A schedule of conditions was attached to the licence, including requirements for CCTV, staff training, noise monitoring, and the use of SIA registered door supervisors on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bobby's Bar, 124-126 Rye Lane, London SE15 4RZ

Bobby's Bar Ltd was granted a premises licence for its premises at 124-126 Rye Lane, London SE15 4RZ. The application sought to operate as a restaurant and bar with late-night refreshment and regulated entertainment, with proposed hours extending to 04:00 daily.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, the Environmental Protection Team (EPT), and Trading Standards. The police objected due to the premises being located within the Peckham Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and the requested hours exceeding SoLP recommendations, raising concerns about alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and crime. The EPT also objected on the grounds of public nuisance, noting the proposed hours were outside SoLP closing times. Trading Standards initially recommended conditions to promote the protection of children from harm.

Following conciliation with Trading Standards, the applicant agreed to incorporate their recommended conditions, leading Trading Standards to withdraw their representation. At the time of the report, representations from the police and EPT remained outstanding.

The sub-committee granted the licence, with the specific conditions agreed upon during conciliation with Trading Standards being incorporated.

London Bridge Local, 85-87 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NH

The sub-committee granted a premises licence for London Bridge Local, located at Part Ground Floor 85-87 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NH. The application, made by Mrs Shital Mehta, sought to operate as a convenience store selling alcohol for off-premises consumption.

The application was subject to a representation from the Licensing authority, citing the premises' location within the Borough and Bankside Cumulative Impact Area (CIA). The Licensing authority noted that applications within a CIA are presumed to be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate they will not add to the negative cumulative impact. They highlighted the saturation of off-licences in the area and the prevalence of street drinking and alcohol-related crime, referencing case law that supports refusal based solely on area saturation. A previous application by the same applicant for the same premises was refused in September 2023 on these grounds.

The applicant's representative argued that the premises had been redesigned, with alcohol sales limited and displayed behind the counter. They also highlighted staff training, the applicant's personal licence, and the fact that other licensed premises in the vicinity had recently closed. The applicant also noted that Temporary Event Notices (TENs) had been served without incident.

The sub-committee considered the previous refusal and the current application. They were satisfied that the applicant had addressed the previous concerns, noting the premises' small size, the limited alcohol display, the proposed reduced hours (midnight Sunday-Thursday), ample staff coverage with personal licence holders, and recent closures of other licensed premises. The sub-committee concluded that granting the licence would not undermine the licensing objectives.

The granted licence includes the following hours:

• Sale by retail of alcohol (off premises): Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:00, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 00:00, New Year's Eve: 10:00 to 02:00.
• Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday: 06:30 to 01:00, Thursday to Saturday: 06:30 to 02:00, Sunday: 07:00 to 00:00, New Year's Eve: 06:30 to 02:00.

An additional condition was agreed that a minimum of one SIA qualified and registered member of security personnel will be engaged on Friday and Saturday evenings, and other days subject to risk assessment.