The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a review of the premises licence for The Foxley Hatch, located at 8-9 Russell Hill Road, Purley, CR8 2LA. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items.

Review of Premises Licence at The Foxley Hatch

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a review of the premises licence for The Foxley Hatch, 8-9 Russell Hill Road, Purley, CR8 2LA. This application was made by a local resident, who is considered an 'other person' under the Licensing Act 2003. The review was specifically lodged on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective.

The sub-committee was asked to consider whether to take steps necessary to promote the licensing objectives, which could include modifying the conditions of the licence, excluding a licensable activity, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely.

Additional information submitted by the applicant and the premises licence holder, Redhouse Pubs Group Limited, was also made available for consideration. This included records of noise monitoring, with decibel readings taken in various areas of the premises on different dates. For example, on 9 March 2024, during a performance, the bar area recorded 87.8 decibels. Further readings on 22 March 2024 showed noise levels in the ladies' toilets at 62.7 decibels and externally at 76.4 decibels.

The supplementary documents also contained a transcript of a text message exchange between a resident and the site manager for Redhouse Pubs Group on 10 February 2024. The exchange appeared to centre on complaints about music noise. One resident stated, Keep your music down, and expressed a lack of respect for neighbours and the community. The site manager responded by asserting the right to play music as they are living above a pub. The exchange escalated with accusations and counter-accusations, including references to police involvement and the impact of the noise on a child. Further correspondence indicated that the resident had sought medical attention due to stress caused by the situation.

The report pack also outlined the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, detailing how applications are considered in relation to the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. It specifically addressed the potential for cumulative impact in certain areas of Croydon, though The Foxley Hatch is not located within one of the five designated cumulative impact areas. The policy also detailed the review process under the Licensing Act 2003, outlining the powers available to the sub-committee when determining such applications.