The Licensing Committee was scheduled to discuss a variation application for Tea House Chinese Restaurant, a temporary event notice (TEN) application for Deptford Market Square, and a protocol for remote meetings. The committee was also scheduled to consider the minutes of previous meetings and any declarations of interest from members.

Tea House Chinese Restaurant, 13A Deptford High Street, SE8 4AD

The committee was scheduled to consider a full variation application submitted by Sam Ho Sin Ltd for the Tea House Chinese Restaurant at 13A Deptford High Street. The applicant was seeking to add the provision of late night refreshment from 23:00 to 04:00, Monday to Sunday. The restaurant already had a licence to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises between 10:00 and 00:00, Monday to Saturday, and 12:00 to 23:30 on Sunday.

Seven representations had been received from local residents, raising concerns about the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. According to the report pack, these representations were not considered vexatious or frivolous.

The applicant had offered conditions in section M of the application form, and following representations from the licensing authority, additional conditions were agreed. The licensing authority subsequently withdrew its objections. The report pack included a list of the proposed conditions and the objections received.

Some of the objections included concerns about:

• Noise from a large fan running during the day and night, especially in the summer when windows are open.
• Delivery bikes collecting food from the High Street entrance, causing a nuisance with noise from bikes and voices disturbing families with children.
• Couriers coming and going, starting and stopping engines, and speaking with one another while waiting for orders.
• The roller blinds closing noisily at 4am.
• Workers at the back of the property creating noise and removing rubbish at all hours.
• The impact of sleep deprivation on children's performance at school, well-being, and mental health.
• The operation of the restaurant as a Ghost Kitchen or Dark Kitchen with hours of operation falling way outside the preferred hours stated in the council's licensing policy for a local hub.

The proposed conditions from the applicant included:

• Installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system.
• Displaying notices at all exits requesting patrons to respect local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.
• Ensuring delivery drivers do not leave their engines running while waiting for orders and do not congregate on the road outside the premises.
• Ensuring no noise generated on the premises, or by its associated plant or equipment, emanates from the premises or causes a nuisance.
• Ensuring that there are no patrons eating in the premises between 00:00 and 04:00 hours, with this period for takeaway and deliveries only.
• Ensuring all deliveries and collections are from the front of the premises.

Jamaican Independence Day Market Square Douglas Way SE8 4BX

The committee was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) application for an event at Deptford Market Square. The applicant, Owen George Baker, was seeking permission to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises and to provide regulated entertainment in the form of live and recorded music via a sound system for up to 300 people, from 09:50 to 22:00 on 10 August 2025.

An objection to the TEN had been received from the Metropolitan Police, citing concerns about public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. The police stated that they had received several complaints about the event and the organiser in the past, including a robbery where a male was stabbed at the event in 2024. The police also raised concerns about the lack of SIA security at the event, the potential for people to wander the streets drinking alcohol bought at the event, and the lack of a comprehensive event plan.

According to the police objection, Mr Baker had stated that children were drinking at last year’s event, but stated they were buying drinks from local venues and not at the festival. The police also stated that complaints were received that local businesses had to close early as they were intimidated by the crowds outside their venues.

Protocol for remote meetings of Licensing Committee

The committee was scheduled to agree a protocol for how it conducts remote hearings. According to the report pack, the lawfulness of remote Licensing hearings was challenged in the matter of Walk Safe Security Services Ltd v London Borough of Lewisham [2024] EWHC 1787 (Admin), but the High Court held on appeal that remote Licensing hearings are permitted under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Licensing Act (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

The report pack stated that the protocol sets out:

• criteria for holding an in-person hearing, fully remote hearing or hybrid procedure
• what constitutes valid attendance by members of the committee, parties to the hearing, officers and members of the public
• how access to the hearing by members of the public will be ensured
• additional measures to ensure that a remote hearing will not result in unfairness any party to the hearing

The protocol states that the default position of the council is to hold remote hearings unless the Chair determines that it is in the interests of justice to hold a hybrid meeting or a meeting in person. Any request from a party to hold a hearing in person or a hybrid meeting should be submitted to Governance and Committee Services, setting out the reasons for the request. The Chair will consider the Public Sector Equality Duty¹ set out in the Equality Act 2010 when making any decision.