The Licensing Sub-Committee of Lambeth Council met on Tuesday 13 May 2025 to consider two licensing applications. The committee granted a new premises licence for Eat The Sunshine. Down The Sun with additional conditions and revoked the premises licence for La Sirena due to repeated breaches of licensing objectives.

Eat The Sunshine. Down The Sun - New Premises Licence Application

The committee granted a new premises licence for Eat The Sunshine. Down The Sun at 303 Kennington Road SE11 4QE. The application sought permission to sell alcohol between 11:00 am and 10:30 pm daily. The decision was made after considering representations from local residents who raised concerns about potential noise nuisance, public safety, and the necessity of another licensed premises in an area already well-served by hospitality venues.

The applicants, Ms Nikki Wong and Ms Angela Win Nok, proposed several conditions to mitigate these concerns, including fitting soundproofing, keeping windows closed during events, and implementing a Challenge 25 policy. They emphasised their intention to operate a family-friendly café focused on community building activities and low-alcohol beverages, rather than a bar.

In addition to the applicant's proposed conditions, the Sub-Committee imposed further conditions on the licence. These include:

• A publicly available direct telephone number for the premises manager, to be provided to local residents and businesses, with any complaints to be remedied within 48 hours and recorded in an incident book.
• Patrons permitted to leave and re-enter the premises to smoke to be restricted to a designated smoking area at the front, with a maximum of three patrons allowed in this area at any time.
• All windows and external doors to be kept closed after 9:00 pm or during regulated entertainment, except for immediate access and egress.
• A sunset clause to be incorporated, ensuring the premises would not be converted into a bar or pub in the future.

The committee was satisfied that these conditions would promote the licensing objectives and addressed the concerns raised by objectors.

La Sirena - Premises Licence Review Application

The Licensing Sub-Committee determined to revoke the premises licence for La Sirena at 30-30a Brixton Station Road SW9 8PD. The review application was submitted by the Licensing Authority following multiple breaches of the premises licence, primarily relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.

The Metropolitan Police, represented by PC Alan Bay, supported the revocation, citing incidents including an assault within the premises and the venue operating significantly beyond its permitted hours on multiple occasions. The police highlighted that despite initial meetings and assurances from the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mrs Isamar Diaz Alcantara, breaches continued.

The licence holder's representative, Mr Jared Onyancha, argued that the breaches were partly due to Mrs Diaz's pregnancy complications and that new measures, including a change of DPS and enhanced security, would be implemented. However, the Sub-Committee expressed a lack of confidence in the premises licence holder's ability to manage the venue effectively and promote the licensing objectives. They noted that the premises was already heavily conditioned and that the proposed changes were insufficient to address the ongoing issues. The committee concluded that revocation was the only appropriate and proportionate action in the circumstances.