The Licensing Sub-Committee considered three applications: a new premises licence for Tequila La La Land, a variation to the licence for The Crown and Sceptre, and a review of the licence for Aquarium Tapas Bar. Decisions were made on all three applications.

Tequila La La Land, 30 Acre Lane, London SW2 5SG

The committee granted a new premises licence for Tequila La La Land, located at 30 Acre Lane, London SW2 5SG. The applicant, Fuego Bars Limited, had initially sought licensable activities until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 a.m. on Thursdays. However, following discussions with the licensing authority, the proposed hours were reduced to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 a.m. on Thursdays, aligning with the council's policy hours.

Several residents and a local residents' group, represented by Councillor Inglis Jones, Sheila Tugwell, Sarah Nobu, Julian Rees, and Veena Sree-Ragan, raised objections. Key concerns included potential noise disturbance, anti-social behaviour, and the premises' suitability as a late-night drinking establishment given its planning permission as a cafe/restaurant. Residents were particularly worried about noise from music, patrons congregating outside, and the lack of a clear dispersal policy.

In response, the applicant, represented by Carlos Tituana, stated that the venue would be renamed Caravana and would operate as a Latino fusion restaurant and bar, not solely alcohol-led. They agreed to numerous conditions, including the installation of a sound limiter, the use of polycarbonate glasses for outdoor consumption, and the implementation of a robust dispersal policy. The applicant also clarified that while the company name is Fuego Bars Limited, this has cultural significance and does not reflect the intended operation. The committee noted that planning matters were not relevant to their licensing decision.

The committee granted the licence with a range of conditions, including those agreed with the licensing authority and additional conditions addressing residents' concerns. These included:

• The installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system.
• Staff training on age-restricted sales and refusal of sales.
• Operation of a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme.
• An incident log to be maintained and available for inspection.
• All tables and chairs to remain in-situ within the premises.
• No sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.
• No admittance or re-admittance after 11 p.m. on Sundays to Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
• A direct number for the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) to be publicly available for complaints.
• Staff engaged outside the entrance to wear high-visibility jackets.
• A Vulnerability and Welfare policy to be implemented.
• Ask for Angela signage to be displayed.
• Children under 16 not allowed on the premises after 9 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult.
• Patrons using the external area after 11 p.m. for smoking not permitted to take drinks with them.
• The number of persons in the external area before 11 p.m. not to exceed 20.
• SIA licensed door supervisors to be employed on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. until 30 minutes after closing.
• A documented risk assessment to be agreed with the Metropolitan Police for occasions when door supervisors are not employed.
• A qualified first aider to be employed on the premises at all times the premises is open.
• A suitable automatic sound limiting device to be installed and approved by the Noise Officer.
• All doors and windows to be kept closed whilst regulated entertainment is taking place, except for ingress/egress or emergencies.
• No speakers to be placed in the external area.
• The use of the external area to cease at 11 p.m. Monday to Sunday.
• From 11:01 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the external area to be a designated smoking area, monitored and restricted to a maximum of 15 persons.
• All furniture in the external area to be rendered unusable after 11:01 p.m. and removed at closing time.
• No customers to leave the premises carrying open drinking vessels unless for consumption in the external area.
• No service or sale of alcohol to persons who appear drunk or inebriated.
• Management and staff to proactively monitor conduct and behaviour to prevent noisy, rowdy, or anti-social behaviour.
• An orderly queuing system to be implemented to prevent obstruction of the public highway.
• Patrons to be discouraged from socialising or loitering on the public highway.
• Routine litter picks to be undertaken in the external area and public highway.
• A robust dispersal policy to be devised and implemented.
• Public transport to be actively promoted.
• No emptying of bottle banks between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.
• All deliveries and collections to take place between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Prominent signage to be erected advising patrons to be mindful of neighbours.
• Active links with the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP).
• An acoustic lobby and glazing to be installed.
• A refusals register to be maintained.
• Awareness of proxy sales.

The Crown and Sceptre, 2A Streatham Hill, London SW2 4AH

The committee considered a variation application for The Crown and Sceptre, located at 2A Streatham Hill, London SW2 4AH. The applicant, Urban & Urban Properties Limited, sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and recorded music on Fridays and Saturdays until 3 a.m., and to reduce the start time from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. They also proposed to remove existing conditions and replace them with an updated schedule.

The application received objections from the Licensing Authority, the Public Protection Team, and eight interested parties. The primary concerns revolved around the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety. Residents cited a history of noise complaints, particularly from amplified music and patrons in the outdoor area, and alleged that the premises had become more of a nightclub than a public house. The Public Protection Service noted 59 noise complaints between March and August 2025 and had issued a Noise Abatement Notice on 3 July 2025.

Following discussions with the Police, the applicant amended their application to extend the sale of alcohol on Fridays and Saturdays to 1:30 a.m. and to remove the 7 a.m. start time, making it 9 a.m. The Police Licensing Unit withdrew their objection based on these amendments. However, the Licensing Authority and Public Protection Service maintained their objections, arguing that the proposed hours were still excessive given the proximity to residential properties and the ongoing issues with noise nuisance.

The committee decided to grant the variation but with modified hours and conditions. The hours for the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and recorded music on Fridays and Saturdays were extended to 1:30 a.m., with opening hours until 2 a.m. The start time for alcohol sales was set at 9 a.m. The committee also imposed a comprehensive set of conditions, including:

• Installation and maintenance of a CCTV system.
• A minimum of two SIA licensed door supervisors on duty from 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and risk-assessed deployment on other nights.
• Staff training on the Licensing Act, underage sales, and refusal of sales.
• Operation of a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme.
• Maintenance of an incident log.
• Prohibition of alcohol sales to intoxicated persons.
• Management to monitor patron behaviour and ensure quiet dispersal.
• Signage requesting patrons to leave quietly.
• Encouragement to join local Pubwatch and alcohol harm reduction schemes.
• Ongoing risk assessments for health and safety compliance.
• Children under 18 to be accompanied by an adult and vacate the premises by 9:30 p.m.
• A noise-limiting device to be installed and approved by Lambeth Noise Officers.
• Doors and windows to be kept closed during regulated entertainment and live music.
• No regulated entertainment or live music to take place in outside areas.
• No alcohol to be served or taken to outside areas after 8:30 p.m.
• A robust dispersal policy to be implemented.

Aquarium Tapas Bar, 415 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2JP

The committee considered a review application for the premises licence of Aquarium Tapas Bar, located at 415 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2JP. The review was initiated by the Metropolitan Police, citing concerns about the failure to promote the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and public safety. The Licensing Authority supported the review application, recommending revocation.

The review application detailed several incidents, including an alleged threat with a firearm in February 2023, which occurred after the premises' permitted hours. The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Jorge De Freitas, had agreed to a voluntary variation to reduce terminal hours to 2 a.m., but this application was not submitted. Further incidents included an alleged assault in March 2025, where the premises was found to be operating beyond its permitted hours. Mr. De Freitas had admitted to breaches of licence conditions and difficulties in getting patrons to leave at the stipulated time.

The Licensing Authority stated they had no confidence in the management or operation of the premises and recommended revocation. However, two representations were received in support of the premises from members of the public and a petition, stating they had no concerns about the operation and that it did not adversely impact the area.

After considering all representations, the committee decided to modify the conditions of the licence. The licensable activities were not excluded, and the premises supervisor was not removed. The licence was not suspended or revoked. Instead, the committee imposed new conditions to address the concerns raised, including:

• The premises must operate within the hours of 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) from Sunday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The premises must operate within the hours of 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. for late-night refreshment on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) from Sunday to Thursday.
• The premises must operate within the hours of 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) from Sunday to Thursday for the sale of alcohol, and 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The premises must operate within the hours of 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) from Sunday to Thursday for opening hours, and 6 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The Designated Premises Supervisor must ensure that all staff are trained in the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
• The premises must implement a robust dispersal policy to ensure patrons leave quietly and speedily.
• The premises must maintain a CCTV system that covers all entry and exit points and records continuously while the premises is open.
• The premises must maintain an incident log.
• The premises must adhere to the Metropolitan Police's Safe and Sound policy.
• The premises must employ SIA licensed door supervisors on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. until 30 minutes after closing.
• The premises must not sell alcohol for consumption off the premises.
• The premises must prominently display signage informing customers to leave quietly and that CCTV is in operation.
• The premises must ensure that all employees are trained to handle emergency situations.
• Music and dance activities shall be restricted to the basement area and played at a level that does not cause nuisance to neighbouring premises.
• The premises shall not provide any live music.
• The premises shall strictly enforce the proof of age policy.
• The premises licence holder shall ensure supervision of all children under 16 years of age.