The Licensing Sub-Committee of Bromley Council met on Monday 23 June 2025 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for LA Sports Club in Beckenham. The committee decided to grant the variation, allowing for extended alcohol sales hours and the removal of several existing licence conditions, while also imposing new conditions to address residents' concerns.

LA Sports Club Premises Licence Variation

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted an application to vary the premises licence for LA Sports Club, located at LA Sports Club, St Dunstan's Lane, Beckenham, BR3 3SS, in Shortlands & Park Langley ward. The variation allows for extended hours for the sale of alcohol and the removal of several conditions from the existing licence.

The application sought to extend the sale of alcohol hours from the current 11:00 to 18:30 daily to:

• Monday to Thursday: 11:00 to 20:00
• Friday to Saturday: 11:00 to 23:00
• Sunday: 11:00 to 21:00
• Any day preceding a Bank Holiday: 11:00 to 23:00

Additionally, the applicant requested the removal of conditions 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, and 23 from the current licence.

The committee decided to grant the variation, allowing the removal of the specified conditions and extending the alcohol sale hours as requested. However, they also imposed new conditions to promote the licensing objectives and address concerns raised by local residents. These new conditions include:

• No amplification systems or speakers to be used outside the approved licensed area.
• Alcoholic drinks not to be permitted to leave the licensed area after 21:00.
• A maximum of 200 persons (including staff) allowed on the premises at any one time.
• A sign requesting customers to respect local residents and keep noise to a minimum to be displayed in the Designated Smoking Area, which is located furthest from residential properties.
• Customers permitted to leave and re-enter the premises to smoke after 21:00 to be restricted to the Designated Smoking Area, with no more than 15 customers allowed in this area after 21:00.
• Two SIA licensed door supervisors to be employed from 20:00 for promoted or special events, or when regulated entertainment or live music is being played.
• The premises must have a dispersal policy approved by the Licensing Authority.

The committee also granted permission for 30 minutes drinking up time at the close of licensable hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and days preceding a Bank Holiday.

Objections and Applicant's Case: Numerous objections were received from local residents and the Park Langley Residents' Association, primarily citing concerns about increased traffic, parking issues, noise pollution, public nuisance, and potential risks to public safety and the protection of children. Residents argued that the extended hours would transform the club from a community sports facility into a commercial entertainment venue, incompatible with the quiet residential character of the area. They highlighted issues such as inconsiderate parking blocking driveways and junctions, noise audible from neighbouring properties, and the narrow access road of St Dunstan's Lane being unsuitable for increased traffic.

Mr. Ricky Humphris, the Designated Premises Supervisor, and Mr. Peter Mayhew, the applicant's consultant, presented the case for LA Sports Club. They stated that the club is run by four family members as a labour of love and needs to be sustainable. They highlighted investments in soundproofing, acoustic ceilings, double glazing, and a 30-metre fence. They also noted that the premises had previously operated under Temporary Event Notices (TENs) until midnight without complaints and that the proposed hours were reasonable. They argued that they could not be responsible for traffic on public highways and that the club was not a member organisation but a private venture. They also confirmed that the club is not located within a Cumulative Impact Area.

Councillor Christine Harris, the Ward Councillor, declared a past involvement with the Licensing Sub-Committee concerning the premises but stated she had not been involved since May 2022.

The committee carefully considered all submissions and decided to grant the variation, balancing the applicant's need for sustainability with the residents' concerns by imposing additional conditions.

Parties have a right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of the decision.