This meeting was about considering an application for a new premises licence by COLAB Charitable Foundation under the Licensing Act 2003 for the premises known as COLAB Tower, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London. The application was submitted to the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination because representations were received from responsible authorities and other people.

COLAB Tower

COLAB Charitable Foundation submitted an application for a premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known as COLAB Tower, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London. The application was referred to the Licensing Sub Committee for determination.

The application sought permission for plays indoors from 12:00 to 23:00 seven days a week, recorded music indoors and outdoors from 12:00 to 23:00 from Sunday to Wednesday, and 12:00 to 02:00 from Thursday to Saturday, the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises from 12:00 to 23:00 from Sunday to Wednesday and 12:00 to 02:00 from Thursday to Saturday, and for the premises to be open to the public from 10:00 to 00:00 from Sunday to Wednesday and 10:00 to 02:30 from Thursday to Saturday.

The premises were described in the application as:

“Office block that will be used for the charitable uses of the arts. Mostly as workshop space, art studios, rehearsals, writing workspace, research and development space, showing space, theatre studios, youth theatre programmes and open creative spaces for network development. We are applying for the licence due to the showings that will take place from the research and development phases of the artists. They will be very low impact on the surrounding area as they will be small and will fully support the licensing objectives.”

Representations

Representations on the application were received from Southwark Council's Licensing Unit, Environmental Protection Team, and Trading Standards service, as well as from a local resident who lives at an address in Southwark, and Councillor David Watson.

Southwark Council's Licensing Unit initially objected to the granting of the application on the grounds that whilst the applicant had proposed a schedule of control measures to promote the licensing objectives, the Licensing Unit did not feel that they sufficiently addressed the licensing objectives, and that some of the measures needed clarification to ensure that they were precise, practicable, enforceable and unambiguous.

They therefore proposed a schedule of conditions, and stated that if the applicant accepted the conditions, then they would withdraw their representation.

“We therefore recommend that the following conditions be included in any premises licence issued subsequent to this application, and replace the conditions proposed in part ‘M’ of the application in their entirety.”

Southwark Council's Trading Standards service also submitted a representation, requesting that the applicant include conditions relating to the prevention of children from harm in their application.

Southwark's Environmental Protection Team submitted a representation expressing concerns over the potential for public nuisance from the planned licensable activities at the premises, posing several queries and questions for the applicant to answer, and requesting a site visit to see the premises in person.

The local resident who submitted a representation stated:

“To allow opening hours until 2am will be enormously disruptive to the area, with noise and anti social behaviour.”

Councillor David Watson's representation stated:

“The Borough and Bankside ward is in a cumulative impact policy area because of the alcohol related crime and disorder statistics for the area, and the alcohol related hospital admissions data. Therefore, this application should be refused. The new premises would impact negatively on efforts to prevent crime and disorder, public nuisance and protect public safety.”

Following conciliation, Southwark Council's Licensing Unit and Trading Standards service withdrew their representations. The representations from Southwark Council's Environmental Protection Team, the local resident and Councillor David Watson remained outstanding.

Cumulative Impact

The report pack notes that the premises fall within the Borough and Bankside Cumulative Impact Area and the Borough and Bankside Strategic Cultural Area as defined by Southwark Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026. The Statement of Licensing Policy sets out the council's approach to cumulative impact, and makes recommendations for closing times for different types of licensed premises in different areas of the borough.

The report pack goes on to say:

“As the premises are to operate as a theatre / rehearsal space, we are of the opinion that the Borough & Bankside CIA will not apply to this application, should suitable conditions be included in any premises licence issued subsequent to this application.”

Climate Change

The report pack notes that:

“Climate change is not a legal factor in the consideration of a grant of a premises license under the current licensing objectives, however members 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.”

and suggests some examples of agreements that might be requested, such as not using single-use plastics, and encouraging patrons to use public transport.