The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council scheduled a meeting to consider a premises licence application for Londis East Dulwich. The application requested permission to sell alcohol and late night refreshment. Councillors were also expected to discuss representations made for and against the application.

Londis East Dulwich Licensing Application

The sub-committee was scheduled to review an application by Sithamparanathan Linganathan for a new premises licence for Londis East Dulwich, Units 1 and 2, 4 Melbourne Grove, London SE22 8QZ.

The application requested the following:

• Late night refreshment (indoors) Monday to Sunday from 23:00 to 01:00
• The sale by retail of alcohol (off the premises) Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 01:00
• Opening hours Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 01:00

According to the report pack, the premises is described as:

'This premises is an established commercial premises with commercial activities. It has been separated into 2 units. It will now be a single unit. Applicant lives local, has been operating another store close by. He has taken this premises as a new venture with joining Londis Retail Group.

The report pack noted that representations had been received from the Metropolitan Police Service and trading standards. The report pack stated that these responsible authorities had withdrawn their representations after the applicant agreed to amend their operating schedule to include conditions and amended hours suggested by the police and trading standards.

The report pack also noted that the council had received 85 representations from other persons, 61 objecting to the application and 24 supporting it. The representations from other persons related to the prevention of crime and disorder, the protection of children from harm, public nuisance and public safety.

The report pack included a recommendation that the sub-committee consider the application.

Southwark Council Statement of Licensing Policy

The report pack noted that the sub-committee should have regard to Southwark's statement of licensing policy 2021-2026, which came into effect on 1 January 2021. It stated that sections of particular relevance include those about:

• the purpose and scope of the policy
• determining applications for premises licences and club premises certificates
• local cumulative impact policies
• hours of operation
• the prevention of crime and disorder
• public safety
• the prevention of nuisance
• the protection of children from harm

The report pack stated that the premises is situated in a residential area and does not fall within a cumulative impact area¹. It also noted that under Southwark's statement of licensing policy 2021-2026, the following closing times are recommended as appropriate within a residential area:

• Off-licences and alcohol sales in grocers and supermarkets: 23:00 daily
• Restaurants and cafes: 23:00 daily
• Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments: 23:00 daily
• Takeaways are not considered appropriate for this area.

Climate Change Implications

The report pack stated that the council is committed to considering the climate change implications of any decisions. It noted that climate change is not a legal factor in the consideration of a grant of a premises license, however councillors can make enquiries and request an agreement from applicants to promote the reduction of the impact of climate change that may be caused by the operation of the premises. Examples of such an agreement may be:

• Not to use single use plastics, such as disposable plastic glasses, when selling alcohol at the premises.
• Encourage patrons not to drive to venues by providing details of public transport on their webpages/tickets.

Appendices

The report pack included the following appendices:

• Application for the premises licence
• Representations and withdrawal statements from Metropolitan Police Service and trading standards
• Clarified conciliated hours and conditions agreed with responsible authorities
• Representations from other persons
• Map of the locality and list of licensed premises shown on map