The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Thursday 30 May 2024 to consider applications for premises licences and variations to existing licences. The meeting agenda included discussions on three specific venues: Bird House Brewing Company, Rincon Costeno, and Malibu Restaurant Bar.

Bird House Brewing Company

The committee was scheduled to consider an application from Bird House Brewing Company to vary its premises licence. The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol, the provision of late-night refreshment, and regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music. The proposed new hours would extend until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight on Sundays to Thursdays.

The report pack indicated that the Metropolitan Police Service and the council's licensing authority had submitted representations. The police raised concerns that the applied-for hours were in excess of those recommended in the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy and requested additional conditions. The licensing authority also noted that the requested hours were outside the policy's recommendations, expressing concern about the impact on local residents. However, the police had since withdrawn their representation after agreeing on a set of additional conditions with the applicant. The licensing authority's representation remained outstanding.

The premises, located at Arch Unit 1127, Bath Factory Estate, 41 Norwood Road, London SE24 9AJ, is described as a cocktail bar, street food venue, brewery, and tap room. The current licence permits alcohol sales until 11 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 10 pm on Sundays. The variation application proposed extending these hours significantly, including live and recorded music until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report highlighted that the premises is located outside of a cumulative impact policy area but within a residential area. The Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy recommends closing hours of 11 pm for public houses and restaurants in such areas.

Rincon Costeno

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Rincon Costeno, located at Arch 146 Maldonado Walk, Eagle Yard, Hampton Street, London SE1 6SP. The applicant, Irina Elizabeth Solorzano Chango, proposed operating as a Latin American traditional restaurant and bar.

The application sought permission for alcohol sales on-site from 11 am to 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11:30 pm on other days. It also requested permission for late-night refreshment and recorded music until 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11 pm on other days. The proposed opening hours were from 8 am to 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight on other days.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, the council's trading standards team, and the council's licensing authority. The police raised concerns about ongoing issues from similarly licensed premises in the vicinity, stating that the applicant's proposed conditions were insufficient. Trading standards and the licensing authority initially made representations but later withdrew them after agreeing on additional conditions with the applicant.

Four local residents also submitted representations, raising concerns about the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the Eagle Yard area and a history of anti-social behaviour. They highlighted issues with noise, public urination, litter, and general disorder, particularly on weekends. The previous licence for this premises, under the trading name Pasaje Primavera, was revoked in August 2021 following a serious assault and breaches of licence conditions.

The premises is located in an area described as being within the Elephant and Castle major town centre, with nearby residential properties. The Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy recommends closing times of 11 pm for public houses and 12 am for restaurants on weekdays, and 1 am for restaurants on Fridays and Saturdays in this area.

Malibu Restaurant Bar

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Malibu Restaurant Bar, located at 229 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5LU. The applicant, Jose Rafael Ferreira Minaya, described the premises as a Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar.

The application proposed operating hours that included live music until 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and recorded music and late-night refreshment until 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Alcohol sales were requested until 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, with opening hours until 1 am.

Representations were received from the council's trading standards team, the Metropolitan Police Service, the council's environmental protection team, and the council's licensing authority. Trading standards and the police initially objected but later withdrew their representations after the applicant agreed to incorporate their recommended conditions. The environmental protection team and the licensing authority maintained their objections, citing concerns about the proposed hours exceeding those recommended in the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy for a restaurant in a residential area, and a history of non-compliance at the premises.

The Environmental Protection Team noted a previous noise nuisance complaint and an abatement notice served on the premises. They also highlighted a previous incident where alcohol was displayed for sale without a valid licence or Temporary Event Notice (TEN). The Licensing Authority pointed out that the proposed hours were significantly later than the policy's recommendation of 11 pm for restaurants in residential areas.

The premises is located on Old Kent Road, a busy arterial road, in an area with significant residential development, including new housing blocks being constructed nearby. The existing licence for the premises, held by Rute Carvalho, had been suspended for non-payment of fees. The proposed Designated Premises Supervisor is Jose Rafael Ferreira Minaya, who holds a personal licence issued by Southwark Council.

The report indicated that the applicant had agreed to a number of conditions proposed by the police and trading standards, which led to the withdrawal of their objections. However, representations from the environmental protection team and the licensing authority remained outstanding at the time of the report.