The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council convened a meeting to address a premises licence application and other standard items. Councillor Margy Newens, Deputy Cabinet Member for a Cleaner Southwark, Councillor Andy Simmons, and Councillor Kath Whittam were scheduled to be in attendance. The primary focus of the meeting was to be the consideration of a new premises licence for The Pyrotechnist's Arms.

Licensing Act 2003: The Pyrotechnist's Arms, 39 Nunhead Green, Nunhead, London SE15 3QF

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application by Ei Group Ltd for a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for The Pyrotechnist's Arms, located at 39 Nunhead Green, Nunhead, London SE15 3QF. The application seeks to permit several activities:

• Live music (indoors) from Friday to Sunday, 20:00 to 00:00.
• Recorded music (indoors) from Sunday to Thursday, 09:00 to 00:00, and Friday and Saturday, 09:00 to 01:00.
• Late night refreshment (indoors) from Sunday to Thursday, 23:00 to 00:00, and Friday and Saturday, 23:00 to 01:00.
• Sale of alcohol (on and off the premises) from Sunday to Thursday, 09:00 to 00:00, and Friday and Saturday, 09:00 to 01:00.
• Opening hours from Sunday to Thursday, 09:00 to 00:30, and Friday and Saturday, 09:00 to 01:30.

The report pack included that the premises are described as being situated on Nunhead Green, just off the main High Street in Peckham and surrounded by both residential and business premises.

The application did not propose a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

A previous premises licence (number 842784) was surrendered on 14 November 2024, and allowed for the same operating hours as those being applied for. However, the report pack noted that the current application seeks different licence conditions to those of the previous licence.

Representations were made by the Metropolitan Police Service and the council's environmental protection team, both noting that the proposed operating hours exceed those suggested in the council's statement of licensing policy 2021 – 2026 for licensed premises in residential areas.

The Metropolitan Police Service stated:

The venue is situated in a residential area and has historically been a problematic venue in regards to varying levels of crime and disorder. The applicant has suggested a number of control measures to which we welcome however in view of the venues location and problematic past we would like to see more robust conditions to prevent crime and disorder in order to progress the application. The control measures offered also require some modification to allow them to be clear and enforceable.

The police objected to the granting of the licence in its current form, as the control measures were not considered sufficient to address the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder.

The environmental protection team also raised concerns about potential public nuisance affecting nearby residents due to noise from amplified music, general activity, and disturbances during early morning hours. They noted a history of noise complaints related to the premises, with 10 complaints in 2021, 2 in 2022, and one on 26 January 2024.

41 representations were submitted by local residents objecting to the grant of the application. The objections included concerns that:

• The area is highly residential and quiet.
• The premises have historically been a hub for crime, nuisance, violence, and anti-social behaviour.
• The operation of the premises leads to litter and glass waste.
• Customers frequently urinate in the locale.
• Customers frequently engage in anti-social behaviour, including shouting, fighting, public urination, racist abuse and drug taking.
• Loud amplified music emanating from the premises has disturbed residents.
• The prior operation of the premises has had a negative effect on the mental health of residents.

Four representations generally supported the application but suggested that robust licence conditions are required to ensure the responsible operation of the premises. One representation supported the application. Two representations came from people living outside of the borough, and one from someone living in the borough but not in the vicinity of the premises.

The report pack also included information on the licence history of the premises, complaints received since 2005, and a map showing the location of the premises and nearby licensed establishments, including Old Nun's Head, Mother Superior & Sons, El Vermut, Goodcup London Ltd, Co-operative, Jerkiz Caribbean Cuisine, Nunhead News, A G Flowers, D4100, NISA Nunhead Express and Monley's.

Other items

The agenda included standard items such as the election of a chair, receiving apologies for absence, confirmation of voting members, notification of urgent business, and disclosure of interests and dispensations.