The meeting was scheduled to include a discussion about an application for a new premises licence for Brickwood Coffee & Bread at 11-13 Hildreth Street in Balham.

Brickwood Coffee & Bread, 11-13 Hildreth Street, London, SW12 9RQ

Brickwood Group Limited requested a new premises licence to allow:

• The sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption on and off the premises) from 10am until midnight, Sunday to Saturday.
• Late night refreshment until midnight, Sunday to Saturday.

The application was made because the business at 13 Hildreth Street has expanded into the adjacent unit at number 11.

The applicant's operating schedule included a number of steps they proposed to take to promote the licensing objectives, including:

• The installation of a CCTV system.
• Keeping an incident log book.
• Proper disposal of waste.
• A direct telephone number for the manager to be publicly available.

The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about the application relating to:

• CCTV.
• The external seating area.
• The use of glass and glass bottles.
• The use of Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered supervisors.
• Risk assessments.
• The hiring of the premises to external promoters.
• Private events.

The Police were satisfied after the applicant agreed to a number of conditions to their operating schedule.

Wandsworth Council Trading Standards also raised concerns that the operating schedule did not properly address the protection of children from harm licensing objective. They requested conditions covering:

• Point of sale age checks.
• Staff training.
• Age restriction training.

The Trading Standards Officer was satisfied after the applicant agreed to these conditions.

Wandsworth Council's Planning Department also commented on the application. They noted that the application would breach the current planning condition limiting opening hours to:

• 7am-11pm, Monday to Friday
• 8am-11pm, Saturday and Sunday

They explained that this planning condition was put in place to protect the amenity of residents living in the first-floor flats on Hildreth Street.

Sixteen further representations were received from members of the public. These representations included concerns about:

• Public nuisance arising from:

  • The larger size of the premises attracting larger crowds.
  • The use of external drinking areas after 10pm.
  • Patrons leaving the premises late at night.
  • Excessive noise in a pedestrianised area.

• Crime and disorder arising from:

  • The risk of disorderly behaviour.
  • Increased chances of public drunkenness.
  • The potential for antisocial activities, such as fighting or vandalism, particularly late at night.
  • Increased waste in the area.

The representation from Sarah and Anthony Sharp stated that:

Hildreth Street is a residential neighbourhood and because of the construction and layout of the buildings noise travels easily as it bounces off the walls. Whilst we recognise that the shops, cafes, bars and coffee shops should be able to trade freely during the day it is essential that there is a sensible curfew at the end of the day to allow the residents to get to sleep undisturbed.

In their representation, Mr and Mrs Drohan claimed that:

Brickwood previously extended their hours till 11pm. We were told this extension was mainly used by staff from their various branches to have pop up parties, which then turned into very loud outside gatherings with music blaring out into the street. This is unacceptable in a residential street.

The report noted that in making a decision on the application, the sub-committee must have regard to the:

• Licensing Act 2003, which sets out the framework for licensing laws in England and Wales.
• The Government’s Statutory Guidance on alcohol licensing.
• Wandsworth Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy.

The sub-committee has a range of options available to them, including:

• Granting the application in full.
• Granting the application with modified conditions.
• Rejecting the application.