The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a provisional statement for a new Danish bakery and café, Ole & Steen, at 59 George Street, Richmond. The decision was made after considering representations from the applicant and the Richmond Society, with the committee ultimately deciding that the proposed business, with agreed conditions, would not negatively impact the licensing objectives within the Richmond Town Centre Cumulative Impact Zone.

Ole & Steen, 59 George Street, Richmond

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a provisional statement for Ole & Steen, a proposed Danish bakery and café at 59 George Street, Richmond upon Thames. The applicant, Danish Bake (UK) Limited, sought the statement to finalise a lease on the premises. The business aims to offer a premium Danish bakery concept, with alcohol sales expected to constitute only about 5% of the overall business. No baking will occur on-site, with the main bakery located approximately five miles away. The proposed alcohol offering includes five white wines, five red wines, three artisan beers, a cider, and Prosecco, with no draught beers or spirits.

During the meeting, Mr. Peter Willan, representing the Richmond Society, expressed concerns about adding more alcohol licences to George Street and the potential for increased cumulative impact within the Richmond Town Centre Cumulative Impact Zone. He argued that the applicant had not rebutted the presumption of refusal under the council's Cumulative Impact Policy. The Richmond Society requested limitations on opening hours, alcohol sales, and conditions for alcohol to be sold only with a substantial table meal, along with requirements for customers to produce receipts for multiple alcohol purchases. Concerns were also raised about underage alcohol consumption and managing large crowds during rugby days.

In response, the applicant's representatives, Mr. James Anderson and Mr. Alistair Gordon, explained that the proposed café would be a seated, food-led operation with limited alcohol sales ancillary to meals. They stated that staff would monitor for underage drinking and that SIA door staff would be considered if necessary, particularly during busy periods like rugby match days. The applicant agreed to amend the proposed opening hours to 7am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 10:30pm on Sundays. Crucially, the applicant also agreed to amend the licensable hours for alcohol sales to start at 12 noon, addressing concerns about early morning alcohol sales.

The Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Rita Palmer, with Councillor Monica Horner and Councillor Helen Lee-Parsons also present, considered the Cumulative Impact Policy¹ and the specific characteristics of the proposed premises. They noted that the business would be a high-quality, fully seated, family-friendly, food-led operation. The Sub-Committee concluded that the comprehensive list of conditions, agreed upon with the Police Licensing Officer, addressed concerns about negative cumulative impact. These conditions included:

• Staff training on age-restricted sales.
• Maintenance of an incidents register.
• Operation of a CCTV system.
• Adoption and enforcement of a Challenge 21 policy for alcohol sales.
• Alcohol to be sold only to persons taking table meals for consumption ancillary to the meal.
• Off-sales of alcohol to be supplied only in sealed containers and ancillary to the delivery of a full meal to a residential address, with a Challenge 21 policy at the point of delivery.
• No alcohol to be taken off the premises by customers.

The Sub-Committee determined that the applicant had rebutted the presumption of refusal under the Cumulative Impact Policy, allowing them to depart from the special policy. The decision was made in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003², relevant guidance, and the council's Statement of Licensing Policy³.