The Licensing Review Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene to consider an application to review the premises licence for The Borough Hall, and to deal with routine declarations of interest and confirmation of the minutes of a previous meeting. The application for review has been submitted by Councillor Pat Slattery, and relates to concerns about public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Councillors will consider reports and representations before making a determination on the licence.

Review of Premises Licence for The Borough Hall

The sub-committee will consider an application to review the premises licence held by Eden Group Operations Limited for The Borough Hall, Royal Hill Greenwich. The application for review was submitted by Councillor Pat Slattery, and cites concerns relating to the licensing objectives for public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The application states that the operation of the premises is undermining the licensing objectives, with specific issues including:

• Noise and disturbance from patrons leaving the venue, including large groups talking and shouting in the street, car doors slamming, engines revving, and vehicles moving in the early hours of the morning .
• Noise escaping from the premises, often exacerbated by open doors and windows, and general disrepair.
• Disturbance from loading and unloading of equipment at unsociable hours.
• Nuisance from waste management, including overflowing bins and litter.

Councillor Pat Slattery has requested that the sub-committee consider the following actions:

• Suspending the licence for three months to allow for management improvements.
• Restricting licensable activities to cease at 21:00 daily, except for two Saturdays per month when activities may continue until 23:00.
• Replacing the current inaudibility condition with a specific decibel limit set by an independent body.
• Removing statutory exemptions to ensure noise conditions are enforceable at all times.
• Imposing strict conditions on loading/unloading, parking, waste management, and supplier agreements.

The report pack includes a copy of the current premises licence, which was granted on 3 January 2025, and authorises the sale of alcohol, recorded and live music, dance, plays, films, indoor sports, boxing or wrestling, and late-night refreshment. Condition 27 of the licence states that Music shall not be permitted to be played outside the premises and any music played from within should be inaudible at the facade of nearby noise-sensitive premises (e.g. residential properties). The report notes that case law has highlighted that conditions requiring inaudibility can be deemed vague and unenforceable because they lack a measurable, objective standard.

The report pack also contains a history of the premises, noting that it was originally constructed in 1939 as the Greenwich Borough Hall, and that prior to the current licence being granted, the venue had been closed for a significant period following the departure of the Greenwich Dance Agency. The report states that the application for the current licence attracted significant representations from local residents, primarily concerning the prevention of public nuisance and crime and disorder.

Since the licence was granted, the council has received a high volume of complaints regarding the operation of the premises. Between 3 March 2025 and 21 September 2025, the Licensing Team recorded complaints from eight individuals, and 28 complaints were reported to the Community Protection Team. The report pack includes minutes from two mediation meetings held with residents and venue management in May and September 2025, as well as details of 17 inspections of the premises conducted by licensing officers.

The report pack also includes a summary of representations received in support of the review application and in support of the premises. The Community Protection Team supports the review and recommends the imposition of conditions. Thirteen representations were received from local residents in support of the review, citing severe public nuisance, noise escape, and chaotic dispersal. Twenty-four representations were received in support of the premises, highlighting the venue's community benefits and responsible management.

The sub-committee is asked to consider the application and determine whether to modify the conditions of the premises licence, exclude a licensable activity, remove the designated premises supervisor, suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months, or revoke the licence.

Declarations of Interest

As with all meetings, Councillors are asked to declare any personal or financial interests they may have in the items to be discussed. A list of councillors' memberships on outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies is included in the report pack.

Confirmation of Minutes

The sub-committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 August 2025 as an accurate record. At that meeting, Councillors Jit Ranabhat, Ann-Marie Cousins and Dr Dominic Mbang considered an application to review the premises licence for the Hayatt Lounge, and resolved to modify the terminal hours for permitted licensing activities.