The Licensing Committee of Lewisham Council was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Aaja Deptford Ltd. The committee was also due to confirm the minutes from previous meetings and address any declarations of interest from members.

Aaja Deptford Ltd Premises Licence Application

A key item on the agenda was the determination of a new premises licence application for Aaja Deptford Ltd, located at 63-69 Deptford High Street, SE8 4AN. The application proposed a range of licensable activities, including the supply of alcohol, plays, films, indoor sporting events, boxing or wrestling entertainments, and performances of dance, with proposed operating hours from 09:00 to 04:00 daily. Late night refreshment, live music, and recorded music were also requested, with hours from 23:00 to 04:00.

The report pack indicated that thirteen representations had been received from local residents, raising concerns related to the prevention of public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm. These representations highlighted potential issues such as noise pollution, increased foot and car traffic, anti-social behaviour, public urination, and littering, particularly due to the premises' access via Comet Street, which is described as a quiet residential street.

Following representations from the Licensing Authority and the Metropolitan Police, the applicant agreed to several amendments. These included the removal of indoor sporting events and boxing or wrestling entertainments from the application, a reduction in proposed operating hours to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and the addition of a condition requiring an agreed dispersal policy. Despite these amendments, local resident objections remained, necessitating a hearing by the licensing committee.

The report outlined several potential recommendations for the committee, including granting the licence as applied for, granting it with modified conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a designated premises supervisor, or refusing the application entirely. The decision would need to have regard to the Licensing Act 2003 and the promotion of the four licensing objectives: Protection of Children from Harm, Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Prevention of Public Nuisance, and Public Safety. The committee was also to consider the council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25 and its alignment with the council's Corporate Strategy objectives of Building an Inclusive Local Economy and Building Safer Communities.

The report also detailed legal implications under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010, requiring the council to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between people with protected characteristics.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee was scheduled to consider the minutes from previous meetings held on 27 February and 13, 14, 26, and 27 March 2024. The recommendation was that these minutes be confirmed and signed.

Declarations of Interest

Members were asked to declare any personal interests they might have in any item on the agenda, in accordance with the council's Member Code of Conduct. The report outlined the different types of interests, including disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests, and the procedures for declaring and managing such interests during meetings.