Here is a summary of the agenda for the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, which was scheduled to take place remotely on 23 September 2025. The meeting was scheduled to discuss applications for premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003 for two locations: 36 Brigstock Road in Thornton Heath, and Addington Palace Golf Club House on Gravel Hill. For each location, the sub-committee was asked to determine whether to grant the application.

Application for a Premises Licence at Addington Palace Golf Club House, Gravel Hill

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application by Addington Palace Golf Club Limited for a premises licence at Addington Palace Golf Club House, Gravel Hill. The application sought permission for the following licensable activities:

• Films: Monday to Sunday 07:00 to 00:00, and on New Year's Eve 07:00 to 04:00 on 1 January, with an additional hour for bona fide functions or events.
• Indoor Sporting Events: Monday to Sunday 19:00 to 00:00, and on New Year's Eve 19:00 to 04:00 on 1 January, with an additional hour for bona fide functions or events.
• Live Music & Recorded Music: Monday to Sunday 19:00 to 00:00, and on New Year's Eve 19:00 to 04:00 on 1 January, with an additional hour for bona fide functions or events.
• Late Night Refreshment: Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 00:00, and on New Year's Eve 23:00 to 04:00 on 1 January, with an additional hour for bona fide functions or events.
• Sale By Retail of Alcohol ('On' & 'Off' the premises): Monday to Sunday 07:00 to 00:00, outdoors on the golf course Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 19:00, and on New Year's Eve 07:00 to 04:00 on 1 January, with an additional hour for bona fide functions or events.

The report pack notes that the applicant had agreed to modify their application to include two additional conditions, following discussions with the Council's Trading Standards Team. These conditions related to staff training and the operation of a 'Challenge 25' policy¹.

Representations had been received regarding the application, and were included in the report pack. One representation objected to the application on the grounds of prevention of public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, and the enforceability of licence conditions. The representation stated that allowing alcohol sales across the entire golf course would increase the risks of noise disturbance, littering and general nuisance to nearby households, and that the application did not set out any controls or restrictions on outdoor drinking or off-sales. The representation also stated that the application did not define what constitutes a bona fide function, and that this vagueness creates a real risk of disorder and anti-social behaviour far beyond what might reasonably be expected from a golf club. The representation requested that the Licensing Sub-Committee either refuse the application in its current form, or impose stricter conditions.

A second representation also objected to the premises licence application for Addington Palace Golf Club, stating that the application would allow alcohol to be sold and consumed across the entire golf course, which is surrounded by homes and crosses a residential road, creating clear risks of noise, litter and disturbance.

Application for a Premises Licence at 36 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application by Akshar Private Limited for a premises licence at 36 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath. The application sought permission for the sale by retail of alcohol ('Off' the premises) from Monday to Sunday between 08:00 and 23:00.

The report pack notes that following discussions with the Police Licensing Officer, the applicant had amended their application and now sought the permitted hours shown above, rather than those detailed in the original application form. The applicant also sought to have specific conditions placed on the licence, if the application was granted.

The application premises falls within a Cumulative Impact Area² under the Council's Licensing Policy.

Representations had been received regarding the application, and were included in the report pack. One representation objected to the application on the grounds of cumulative impact, risk to public safety, and harm to the licensing objectives, as set out in Croydon's Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028. The representation stated that the location falls within Cumulative Impact Area 3, covering Brigstock Road and Thornton Heath High Street, where Croydon Council has formally recognised a saturation of licensed premises, contributing to public nuisance and street drinking, anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder, and litter and public harm. The representation stated that the council's policy creates a presumption of refusal for new off-licence applications in this area unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated by the applicant, and that this application does not meet the Exceptional Circumstances threshold. The representation also stated that the granting of this licence would further undermine the four licensing objectives. The representation urged the Licensing Sub-Committee to refuse this application under the terms of the CIA policy, confirm that no exceptional circumstances have been presented, and support the policy's aim of reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting a safer community.

A second representation also objected to the premises licence application, stating that the location is inside Croydon's Cumulative Impact Area (CIA-3), where alcohol availability has already led to serious issues: street drinking, anti-social behaviour, and crime, and that the council's policy clearly states that new licences in this area should be refused unless exceptional circumstances are proven.