The Licensing Sub-Committee of Bromley Council met on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for The Swan and Mitre pub. The committee granted the application, allowing for extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays, subject to a range of new conditions.

Variation to Premises Licence - Swan and Mitre

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted the application to vary the premises licence for The Swan and Mitre, located at 260-262 High Street, Bromley BR1 1PG. The variation allows for extended operating hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

The amended hours are as follows:

• Opening Hours: Extended from 23:59 to 01:30.
• Sale of Alcohol: Extended from 23:30 to 01:00.
• Live Music: Extended from 23:30 to 00:00.
• Recorded Music: Extended from 23:30 to 01:00.
• Similar Live or Recorded Music: Extended from 23:30 to 01:00.
• Late Night Refreshment: Extended from 23:59 to 01:00.

Several existing conditions were removed from the licence, including those relating to operating in accordance with the submitted application form, specific entertainment provisions, a 23:00 admission cut-off, and a requirement for a hard-wired noise limiter.

The decision to grant the application was made after considering objections from a local resident who raised concerns about potential increases in noise, anti-social behaviour, and public nuisance, which they believed would adversely affect the peaceful enjoyment of nearby residential properties. The objector specifically highlighted concerns about noise from live music during late evening and early morning hours, and potential disturbances from customers congregating outside the premises.

The applicant's representative highlighted that the premises, a Greene King managed public house, had recently undergone a £45,000 refurbishment and reopened on 1 July 2026. They stated that no complaints had been received regarding the premises' operation and that noise monitoring would be undertaken externally. The applicant also offered to implement a condition requiring a contact telephone number to be made available to local residents.

The Sub-Committee noted that no evidence of anti-social behaviour originating from the premises had been presented, and the Metropolitan Police had not objected to the application. They also acknowledged that existing issues in the area could not necessarily be attributed to the pub.

In determining the application, the Sub-Committee was satisfied that, with the imposition of appropriate conditions, the licensing objectives would not be undermined.

A comprehensive suite of new conditions was imposed to promote the licensing objectives. These include:

• A requirement for the Premises Licence Holder to conduct written risk assessments for the deployment of SIA-licensed Door Supervisors.
• A restriction on new customers or re-admissions after 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and 00:00 on Friday and Saturday, with exceptions for those temporarily leaving to smoke.
• The implementation of a written dispersal policy for licensable activities extending beyond 23:30.
• The installation and maintenance of a CCTV system, with recordings stored for a minimum of 31 days and images provided to the police or council officers upon request. A specific camera at the entrance will capture head and shoulders images for identification.
• The maintenance of a comprehensive incident register, updated within 24 hours, detailing date, time, location, persons concerned, a summary of the incident, and any emergency services attendance.
• The maintenance of a refusals log for alcohol sales, available to the police and local authority.
• The adoption of the 'Challenge 25' scheme, requiring proof of age for those appearing under 25, accepting passports, photocard driving licences, military identification, or PASS-accredited proof of age cards. Digital ID was also agreed as a possibility.
• Mandatory training for all staff on the Licensing Act 2003 and conflict management, with refresher training every 12 months.
• A condition that all doors and windows remain closed after 23:00 during regulated entertainment, except for immediate access and egress, to prevent noise escape.
• The provision of a direct telephone number for the manager to local residents at all times the premises are open.

The Sub-Committee also noted that the applicant had written to local residents informing them of the application and that the variation was sought to provide greater flexibility for customers and prevent loss of trade. The applicant had also agreed to a number of conditions proposed by the Metropolitan Police.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Simon Jeal, with Councillors Kathy Bance MBE and Steve James also present.