The Licensing Sub-Committee C of the Royal Borough of Greenwich met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Rubar Café. The committee decided to grant the application as submitted, subject to mandatory conditions and those outlined in the operating schedule.

Rubar Café, 5 Springham Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 0YR

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted the application to vary the premises licence for Rubar Café, located at 5 Springham Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 0YR. The variation sought to extend the licensed area to include the external frontage of the café, allowing for the consumption of alcohol in this area between 11:00 and 21:00 daily. The sale and consumption of alcohol inside the premises, which currently operates as a café and restaurant serving Kurdish cuisine, remains unchanged between 11:00 and 22:30 daily.

The decision was made after careful consideration of the application, the operating schedule, the Licensing Officer's report, and representations from the applicant's representative and interested parties. The committee also took into account the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the Secretary of State's Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003¹.

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that the applicant had demonstrated an understanding of their responsibilities and had proposed appropriate measures within the operating schedule to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Concerns were raised by local residents, including Mr Taskin Tas, Mr Sergey Nikulin, and Mr and Mrs Glenn and Elaine Walker, primarily relating to the prevention of public nuisance. These residents expressed worries about increased noise and disturbance from extended outdoor alcohol consumption, particularly given the café's proximity to a children's playground and residential accommodation. They also raised concerns about potential breaches of the existing licence and the cumulative impact of noise in the area.

However, the Sub-Committee concluded that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that granting the application would undermine any of the licensing objectives. They were satisfied that the concerns raised could be adequately addressed through the measures outlined in the operating schedule, alongside the mandatory conditions attached to the licence. The committee considered that refusing the application would not be appropriate or proportionate.

The licence was granted as applied for, subject to the mandatory conditions prescribed by the Licensing Act 2003 and the conditions consistent with the operating schedule submitted with the application. These conditions include requirements for CCTV, staff training, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, and the responsible sale of alcohol. The decision does not take effect until the expiry of the period for appealing against it.