The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to consider a single item of business: an application for a new premises licence for SE5 Lounge, formerly known as Planet Nollywood, located at 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HQ. The meeting's agenda and report pack detailed the application, representations from responsible authorities and other persons, and the historical licensing context of the premises.

Licensing Act 2003: SE5 Lounge, 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HQ

The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for SE5 Lounge, located at 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HQ. The application was made by Adekunle Adejumo, who was also the previous licence holder for the premises when it operated as Planet Nollywood.

The applicant sought to be granted a licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, late-night refreshment, and the provision of regulated entertainment, including films, live music, and recorded music. The proposed operating hours were extensive, with the premises open to the public from 10:00 to 03:30 Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 to 05:30 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Licensable activities, including the sale of alcohol, were proposed to run until 03:00 Monday to Thursday and 05:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The report pack indicated that this application was a new one, submitted under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. However, it was noted that the premises had a significant licensing history, including previous reviews and a licence revocation. The report detailed that the previous licence for Planet Nollywood was revoked on 3 March 2026 following a serious incident on 1 February 2026, which resulted in multiple serious injuries. This revocation was a key point of discussion, with the Metropolitan Police Service and the Environmental Protection Team submitting representations objecting to the new application.

The Metropolitan Police Service's representation highlighted concerns regarding the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. They noted the venue's history of anti-social behaviour and crime, including the incident in February 2026 where five individuals suffered grievous bodily harm injuries, leading to the revocation of the previous licence. The police expressed a lack of confidence that the applicant could uphold the licensing objectives.

The Environmental Protection Team (EPT) also raised objections, focusing on the potential for public nuisance and the impact on neighbouring properties. They noted that the premises is located within the Camberwell Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and that the proposed hours significantly exceeded the council's recommended terminal hours. The EPT highlighted concerns about noise breakout from entertainment, patron dispersal, and the cumulative effect of late-night activity on nearby residents.

In addition to representations from responsible authorities, 103 representations were received from other persons. Of these, 49 objected to the application, citing concerns about noise, disturbance, anti-social behaviour, and the premises' association with crime and disorder. Conversely, 53 representations supported the application, with supporters describing the premises as well-run and a positive contributor to the local area.

The report pack also included a detailed Proposed Schedule of Conditions from the applicant, outlining measures intended to promote the four licensing objectives. These included conditions related to CCTV, SIA-registered door supervisors, ID scanning, a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs, and specific procedures for dispersal and responsible alcohol service.

The meeting was scheduled to consider all these representations and documents to determine whether to grant the premises licence, and if so, subject to what conditions, or to refuse the application.