The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to consider applications for premises licences and variations to existing licences. The meeting focused on three specific venues, with discussions revolving around proposed operating hours, the sale of alcohol, and the potential impact on the local community and licensing objectives.

Walworth Living Room, All Saints Hall, Surrey Square, London SE17 2JU

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Walworth Living Room, a community venue operated by Pembroke College Settlement. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol and for the premises to be open to the public until 11pm on Thursdays to Saturdays and 10pm on other days. The application had attracted representations from four local residents raising concerns about potential disturbance, subletting, and the need for alcohol sales. Representations from the Metropolitan Police, the licensing authority, and the environmental protection team had been withdrawn following the agreement of a raft of conditions. These conditions, agreed upon with the applicant, aimed to address concerns regarding noise, public nuisance, and the management of the premises, particularly the use of the courtyard area.

The Cottage, 169a Borough High Street, London SE1 1HR

An application for a new premises licence for The Cottage, proposed to operate as a café, bar, and cultural venue, was scheduled for discussion. The applicant, Colab Charitable Foundation, sought to operate until 5am on Thursdays to Saturdays and 1am on other days, with alcohol sales extending to 5am on Thursdays to Saturdays. This application had attracted significant opposition, with representations from three responsible authorities (police, environmental protection, and the licensing authority) and two other persons. Key concerns raised included the late operating hours, which were noted as exceeding the council's statement of licensing policy for the Borough and Bankside cumulative impact area, and potential increases in crime, disorder, and public nuisance. The Environmental Protection Team specifically raised concerns about the adequacy of proposed measures to prevent public nuisance, particularly regarding noise from amplified music and patron activity. The Metropolitan Police objected on the grounds that the proposed hours would exacerbate existing issues with crime and disorder in the area.

Chapter 72, Ground Floor, 72 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UD

The committee was also scheduled to consider a variation application for an existing premises licence for Chapter 72. The current licence permits up to four patrons to use the outside area, with a separate condition allowing up to five patrons to smoke outside. The applicant, Chapter 72 Ltd, sought to increase the number of patrons permitted outside to 12. This variation had attracted 10 representations from other persons, who raised concerns about increased noise nuisance, public safety, and potential obstruction of the pavement and access routes. These objectors cited a history of the premises exceeding its current outdoor capacity and alleged that the business had not always adhered to licence conditions. Specific concerns included noise from customers and amplified music, obstruction of the pavement by furniture and patrons, and issues related to waste management and staff conduct. Some objectors also proposed additional conditions to be attached to the licence, including CCTV coverage of the external area and noise limitation measures. No representations were received from responsible authorities.