The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council was scheduled to consider two applications under the Licensing Act 2003. These included an application for a new premises licence for a food establishment and a review of an existing premises licence for a wine merchant.

Licensing Act 2003: Hot Box Chicken and Pizza, Arch 182, 30 Manor Place, London SE17 3BB

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Hot Box Chicken and Pizza, located at Arch 182, 30 Manor Place, London SE17 3BB. The application, made by Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed, sought permission for the sale of late-night refreshment, with proposed hours extending to 2:00 AM on Sundays and Thursdays, and 3:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The premises were described as a Take-away, delivery and cafe.

The report pack indicated that there were representations from several responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Service, the council's environmental protection team, the health and safety team, and the licensing unit itself. The police objected to the proposed terminal hours, citing concerns about potential increases in crime, disorder, noise nuisance, and anti-social behaviour. The environmental protection team raised concerns about late-night operations impacting nearby residential addresses. The health and safety team noted that the premises appeared to be operating as a shisha lounge, with patrons smoking indoors, which is contrary to the Health Act 2006, and that the proposed hours were outside the council's statement of licensing policy. The licensing unit also raised concerns about the excessive hours and requested a significant number of conditions to mitigate potential negative impacts.

There were also three representations from other persons supporting the application. The report noted that the premises had not been licensed previously and had no history of complaints. The premises is located outside of a cumulative impact area but within the Elephant and Castle major town centre. The Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026 recommended closing hours of midnight on Sundays to Thursdays and 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays for takeaways in this location.

Licensing Act 2003: City Wines (aka Dennis Wines), 141 Jamaica Road, London SE16 4SH

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for the review of the premises licence held by Kavirach Nagarajah for City Wines (aka Dennis Wines), located at 141 Jamaica Road, London SE16 4SH. The review application was submitted by the council's trading standards service.

The grounds for the review were primarily related to the sale of alcohol to a minor and other alleged offences. The report detailed an underage sales exercise conducted on 15 June 2024, where a 15-year-old volunteer was sold a bottle of ale without being asked for identification. The sale was reportedly made by the owner, Mr. Kavirach Nagarajah. During the visit, officers also discovered illegal vapes with excess tank capacity, bottles of alcohol that appeared to be smuggled, and noted that tobacco products were openly displayed without the required statutory notice.

Further concerns were raised by the licensing unit, supporting the trading standards review. They highlighted that offences under the Licensing Act 2003 had taken place, specifically the sale of alcohol to a minor. They also noted other alleged offences under different legislation, suggesting a persistent pattern of behaviour, particularly concerning the sale of high-risk products to underage individuals. The licensing unit supported the trading standards' recommendation for the licence to be revoked.

The premises licence for City Wines permits the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM from Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM on Sundays. The report indicated that there had been no complaints received by the licensing unit regarding the premises, and a compliance visit on 9 January 2024 found the premises operating in full accordance with its licence.