The Licensing Sub-Committee met to discuss an application from Fulham Football Club for a variation of their existing premises licence to add the provision of plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music, and performance of dance to the Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage. The committee approved the application for the ground floor and the members club on levels three, four and five, with additional conditions to limit the number of events, require a risk assessment plan, and install a noise limiting device. The application for the first floor was withdrawn.

Fulham Football Ground Licensing Application

Fulham Football Club applied to extend their existing licence for the ground floor, first floor, second floor and the members' club on levels three, four, and five of the Riverside Stand to include permission for plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music and the performance of dance, all indoors, from 10:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

Decision

The committee approved the application for the ground floor and the members club on levels three, four and five, with additional conditions. The application for the first floor was withdrawn.

The additional conditions were:

• To restrict the events that are taking place at the venue to no more than 24 per calendar year where more than 500 people attend and where licensable activities are taking place, including football matches.
• To submit a risk assessment plan for each event that involves more than 500 people where licensable activities will take place.
• A noise limiting device to be installed at the premises, set at a level by a suitably qualified person of the council.
• To keep written records of proactive external noise assessments.
• For Designated Premises Supervisors¹ to take minutes of meetings with residents.
• For a telephone number for the premises to be displayed for members of the public to lodge complaints.

Objections

During the consultation period, the council received 65 representations opposing the applications. Objectors, including Lisa and Roger Fanning, representing Christiana Accard, Jen Gardner, representing the River Gardens Riverside Flats, Ben, a local resident, and Luke Elford from Acuity Law, representing Robert Ebert, raised concerns regarding:

• Public Nuisance: Residents expressed concerns about increased noise, traffic, footfall, and rubbish in the residential area, particularly during non-match days. They were worried about the potential for disturbance from live music and other events, especially late at night. Ben said that the licensing application was not following the spirit of consultation:

  ...the licensing application was literally put at you know dog face height level over the summer outside the stadium which I'm sure is technically absolutely correct and was absolutely following the letter of the licensing law but it certainly wasn't following the spirit of consultation but something that is so deeply in the community and is surrounded by flats should do...

• Anti-Social Behaviour: Concerns were raised about potential anti-social behaviour, including people drinking, laughing, and taking drugs near residential flats after 23:00. Jen Gardner said that residents of the River Gardens Riverside Flats had been suffering from anti-social behaviour:

  ...people sitting on the steps of the flats after 11 at night drinking laughing joking and taking drugs and it is we know that I mean it is fact and so our concern here is it that we don't if it stops at 11 fine we can cope with it but my worry is that it's that it's or our worry is that it's going to creep over that creep out onto later night times because even if you stop serving at 11 it's going to be 11 30 12 before people come out and drift past all the residences...

• Lack of Control Measures: Objectors criticised the lack of specific control measures in the applications to mitigate the impact of additional activities on the licensing objectives². Luke Elford said:

  It's incomprehensible that they've not offered you any control measures and it's deeply concerning that they can claim to promote the licensing objectives on that basis.

• Outdoor Music: Concerns were voiced about external music without decibel limits, potentially causing disturbance to local residents and wildlife.

• Traffic and Transport: Residents worried about increased traffic congestion and pressure on public transport due to a larger number of people visiting the area.

• Consultation: Some residents felt there had been a lack of meaningful consultation regarding the applications.

• Responsible Authorities: Councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan said she could not accept the lack of comments from responsible authorities³ to mean that they are perfectly happy with everything in the application.

Fulham Football Club Response

Craig Pellis, solicitor for Fulham Football Club, clarified that the applications were primarily to address situations where more than 500 people might be present for events with live or recorded music as the primary activity. He stated that the licensable activity would be indoors, with no intention to extend existing hours. He also mentioned the presence of a 13-bedroom hotel on-site, providing a vested interest in minimising noise and disturbance.

Glenn Sutton, Director at Fulham Beer at Fulham Football Club, explained that the applications would ensure they were not in breach of conditions if more than 500 people attended free events, such as on boat race day. He also mentioned ongoing independent noise assessments and a joint incentive with residents to maintain a peaceful environment.

Fulham Football Club offered a condition to limit the number of occasions with more than 500 people attending events where music would be a primary activity to 24 per calendar year.

Committee Questions and Discussion

Councillor Patrick Walsh asked about post-event clean-up and security, particularly around Riverside Gardens. Amie Mackenzie, Venue and Operations Director at Fulham Football Club, confirmed that their contractor covers the immediate streets and that they have increased security presence around Riverside Gardens.

Councillor Afzal-Khan questioned the types of sporting events, noise mitigation, and security measures. Craig Pellis clarified that the indoor sporting event could be any type of indoor sporting event, and Amy Mackenzie stated that security measures are assessed on an individual basis depending on the event.

Councillor Afzal-Khan asked Adrian, the Licensing Manager, about comments from responsible authorities. Adrian confirmed that the noise team was aware of some complaints but had not witnessed a nuisance.

Councillor Walsh asked about consultations with residents. Glenn Sutton said he would have to look into the detail of the schedule of the last ones.

Conditions

The committee decided to grant the applications for the ground floor and the members club on levels three, four and five, subject to the additional conditions, and the application for the first floor was withdrawn.