The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Monday to discuss an application for a premises licence at Wandle Park Cafe, and ultimately decided to grant the application. The licence is subject to conditions offered by the applicant, mandatory conditions imposed under the Licensing Act 2003, and an additional condition that alcohol can only be sold with a meal.

Wandle Park Cafe Premises Licence Application

The sub-committee considered an application by Joel Miez Holdings Ltd for a premises licence at Wandle Park Cafe, Wandle Park, Cornwall Road. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Sunday. It also sought permission for regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, activities similar to live or recorded music, and dance performances, also between 10:00 and 18:00 Monday to Sunday, with dance performances specifically from 15:00 to 18:00.

The Head of Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing told the sub-committee that the applicant had revised the hours they were applying for after discussions with the Police Licensing Officer. The applicant also agreed to conditions set out in Appendix A2 of the reports pack.

Glenard Patnelli, the applicant, addressed the sub-committee, acknowledging that most objections stemmed from concerns about antisocial behaviour and harm to children. He said that their objective was to create a community space for art and community events, and that the licence would not bring a bar culture to the park. He also made the following points:

• They would only sell beer and wine, not spirits.
• No alcohol would be publicly displayed.
• Events would be low impact and finish by 18:00.
• Signage would ask customers to leave quietly.
• They would proactively handle complaints.
• Alcohol would be ancillary to food.
• Staff would operate under the Challenge 25 policy¹ and maintain a refusal log.
• There would be no vertical drinking², and no alcohol could leave the venue.
• Security staff would be present at every event.
• They were working with the council and police to ensure safeguarding and reduce crime.
• They had installed CCTV covering key areas.
• All staff were safeguard trained and trained in the licence objectives, with refresher sessions every six months.
• They would ensure measures were in place to avoid disruption to children.
• They had engaged with residents, councillors, and community groups.
• They would not serve alcohol to those intending to consume it in the park.
• Their presence could deter antisocial behaviour, as the cafe was the only lit premises in the park.

In response to questions from the sub-committee, Mr Patnelli confirmed that a bag of crisps would not be sufficient to enable a customer to purchase alcohol, and agreed to the additional condition that alcohol would only be served with a meal. He also explained that staff would be trained to recognise when a customer should be refused alcohol, and that their policy did not allow alcohol to be taken off the premises.

The Licensing Sub-Committee decided to grant the application, subject to the conditions offered by the applicant, mandatory conditions under the Licensing Act 2003, and the additional condition that alcohol must be sold with a meal.

The sub-committee noted that the applicant was seeking to amend the application to reduce the permitted hours for licensable activities, and had regard to concerns raised by objectors relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

The sub-committee noted that there were no objections from the police or the council's Pollution Enforcement Team. However, as the application was partly for the sale of alcohol at premises in Wandle Park, the sub-committee had concerns that the licensing objectives would be engaged, given potential issues that arise as a result of alcohol consumption in parks.

The sub-committee had regard to information submitted by the applicant, including policies relating to health and safety, safeguarding and child protection, alcohol sales, noise management, customer conduct and behaviour, and events and public gatherings. They noted Mr Patnelli's submission that the primary purpose of the cafe was not to promote a bar culture, but to provide a safe, family-friendly community space.

The sub-committee also considered the following factors:

• The implementation of a Challenge 25 policy.
• The use of a refusal book or electronic system to record all refusals of sales.
• The condition that customers drinking alcohol would be seated.
• The restriction on the ABV³ of beer, lager, cider, or perry to 6%.
• The use of plastic vessels and the decanting of bottles.
• The storage of alcohol in lockable cabinets behind the counter.
• The restriction on alcohol being taken beyond the hard stand area adjacent to the building.

The sub-committee referenced the Statutory Guidance which provides that, beyond the immediate area surrounding the premises, these are matters for the personal responsibility of individuals under the law. An individual who engages in anti-social behaviour is accountable in their own right. However, they also had regard to the view expressed by Mr Patnelli that the presence of a family-friendly and well-lit community cafe could potentially deter anti-social behaviour and have a positive impact in promoting the licensing objectives.

The sub-committee noted that the proposed events and workshops would be low impact and community-focussed, and would end by 18:00, subject to a Temporary Events Notice being granted for occasional events going beyond those hours. They also noted that any live or recorded music would be regularly monitored to ensure that it did not exceed permitted statutory noise levels, and that signage would be displayed reminding customers to leave quietly.

The sub-committee noted that Mr Patnelli was unable to confirm how often workshops and events would take place, but anticipated that workshops would take place at least once every two weeks, with more workshops likely to run during the school summer holidays, and that events would take place once a month. They also noted that there would be security in place for events.

The sub-committee noted that Mr Patnelli was unable to confirm the number of staff that would be employed at the premises, but indicated that there would generally be a minimum of three staff at any one given time, which could increase to five or six staff depending on the level of interest and footfall. They also noted that all staff would receive appropriate training, including training on the Licensing Act 2003, responsible alcohol service, conflict management, safeguarding, health and safety and noise monitoring and control, with refresher training to be provided every six months.

The sub-committee noted that there was no lighting in Wandle Park, and that the cafe would be the only lit premises in the park. They also noted that CCTV would be in operation at the premises, and that there had been discussion with the police to add the park to their local patrol route.

The sub-committee noted that the applicant had a robust Safeguarding policy in place, and that there would be no adult entertainment or services permitted on the premises, and that all entertainment and services would be family-friendly, community-orientated and suitable for all ages.

The sub-committee noted that there had been on-going discussions with local residents, ward councillors, Friends of Wandle Park, the Wandle Park Community Garden and other community groups, and that a meeting was held to explain the purpose of the application and to address any concerns.

Other Matters Discussed

• Councillor Patsy Cummings was appointed Chair of the meeting.
• There were no disclosures of interest.
• There were no items of urgent business.
• It was not required to exclude the press and public from the meeting.