Licensing Panel D of Camden Council convened to address a new premises licence application for the Camden Music Festival and a variation application for the Co-operative Group Food Limited. The panel granted the variation application for the Co-operative Group Food Limited with additional conditions, and deferred a decision on the Camden Music Festival pending further information.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

• Election of Chair and Guidance on Remote Meetings
• Co-Operative Group Food Limited
• Camden Music Festival

Election of Chair and Guidance on Remote Meetings

Councillor Matt Cooper was elected as Chair for the hearing. The panel agreed to follow the Guidance on Remote Meetings held under the Licensing Act 2003 and Associated Regulations.

Co-Operative Group Food Limited

The panel considered an application from the Co-operative Group Food Limited, 250-254 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AB to vary their existing premises licence. The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises and to add late-night refreshment to their licensable activities.

Specifically, the Co-operative Group Food Limited requested:

• To extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from Monday to Sunday 23:00 – 02:00. All sales between 23:00 – 02:00 Monday to Saturday and 22:30 – 02:00 Sunday would be for on-line delivery only.
• To add Late Night Refreshment as a licensable activity Monday to Sunday 23:00- 02:00
• To amend the opening hours for Friday and Saturday

The Licensing Officer summarised the report, noting that the applicant had agreed to 10 additional conditions requested by the Police. Seven relevant representations opposing the application were received from a local councillor, three resident associations and three residents. The Licensing Officer noted that all of the licencing objectives were engaged by the application, and that the premise was not situated in the cumulative impact policy area.

Kate Gemmell of TRACT, also speaking on behalf of Caroline Hill (Kentish Town Residents Association) and Rosemary Lewin (Kelly Street Residents' Association) highlighted the points made in their written submissions, emphasising the negative impact on local residents, particularly delivery drivers congregating outside causing public nuisance and anti-social behaviour with lack of access to facilities such as toilets, as well as increased night-time traffic and noise from deliveries, and the potential for the venue to become a late-night takeaway, which would exacerbate the issues in the area.

David Dadds, solicitor for the applicant, summarised the application, emphasising the nature of the business as a dessert venue and highlighting that the agreed conditions were there to alleviate residents' concerns and to prevent public nuisance. He assured the panel that the business would manage any issues related to public nuisance, including providing facilities for delivery drivers and ensuring that customers did not cause disturbances outside the venue.

The Council's legal officer clarified with the applicant's representative that what had been included in the descriptive part of the application form for the licence did not form a condition of the licence unless it had been set out and offered in the operating schedule. The applicant's legal representative agreed to this suggestion, commenting that the applicant was happy for this to be added as a condition on the licence.

The panel decided to grant the application with three additional conditions, ensuring delivery drivers had access to facilities, defining the nature of the business, and adopting women's safety principles.

The additional conditions were:

• Delivery drivers must have access to facilities inside.
• The venue must remain a dessert shop and not change to a takeaway selling hot food like kebabs or pizza.
• All front of house staff shall be trained in Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE), Ask for Angela , drink spiking. Records of staff training shall be provided to an authorised officer upon request.

Camden Music Festival

The panel then considered an application for a new premises licence for the Camden Music Festival, Hawley Crescent, Buck Street, Jamestown Road, Inverness Street, Camden High Street. The application was for a permanent licence to cover an annual three-day event each September.

The application sought permission for:

• Regulated entertainment in the form of Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Performance of Dance
• Anything similar to recorded music, live music and acts and performances of dancing
• Alcohol supply

The Licensing Officer summarised the report, noting that four relevant representations had been received, two from Responsible Authorities and two from residents.

A statement from Inspector Peter Luciano, Camden Safer Neighbourhood and Town Centre Lead, was read out, outlining concerns around the safety of the event, potential for criminal activity, and lack of engagement with Transport for London. Inspector Luciano stated:

As you would be aware, the Metropolitan Police strongly opposed to this taking place last year due to the concerns around criminal activity, vulnerability to attendees and considerations not being given to mandatory areas such as missing children and violence against women and girls. It is my understanding that this year's plans have had little to no deviation to improve on these concerns.

PC Dominic Hallam from the Camden Licensing Team also raised concerns about a lack of planning and documentation, particularly in addressing concerns from the previous event held in 2023.

A statement from Bob Dear, former Licensing Sergeant for Camden Borough, was read out in support of the applicant, noting his vast experience in the trade and that he is respected.

A statement from Roy Walker, Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board CSNB, was read out, objecting to the application on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder, ensuring public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

A statement from a local resident was read out, objecting to the application on the grounds of ensuring public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

The panel deferred a decision on the application, requesting further information from the applicant regarding the event management plan, security arrangements, and measures to address concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police and local residents.