The licensing sub-committee has granted a variation to the premises licence for The Base at 3 Liffords Place, Barnes, allowing them to extend their opening hours and serve alcohol for longer, subject to certain conditions. The committee approved the minutes of the previous two meetings, and heard representations from the applicant and a local resident.

The Base, 3 Liffords Place, Barnes

Bakery Boutique Ltd applied to vary the existing premises licence for The Base, described as a bakery and cafe/restaurant, to extend the hours for selling alcohol for consumption on the premises to 10:00 to 23:00 daily, and to extend the opening hours to 07:00 to 23:00 daily. The sub-committee decided to grant the licence with amended times and additional conditions to minimise disruption to local residents.

The agreed hours are:

• Premises open: Monday to Saturday 07:00 - 23:00, Sunday 07:00 - 21:00
• Sale of alcohol (on the premises): Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 22:30, Sunday 10:00 - 20:30

The sub-committee added several conditions to the licence, including:

• Staff and customers to be instructed not to smoke in the area to the back of the premises.
• All windows and external doors must be kept closed after 21:00, except for access and exit.
• The supply of alcohol to the outside area of the premises is prohibited.
• No disposal of alcohol bottles to take place between 23:00 and 08:00.
• A direct telephone number for the duty manager shall be made publicly available and manned at all times the premises is open for licensable activity.
• During the last half an hour before closure a trained member of staff shall accompany patrons to the door or ask patrons at the exit door, to leave the area quietly.

Applicant's Representation

Doran Zilkha, representing the applicant, explained that the business had been more popular than anticipated, with customers wanting to book on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and feeling rushed when last orders were at 21:00. He stated that the premises was mainly a cafe, bakery and restaurant with supplementary drinking with food. He confirmed that there would be no outside service of alcohol, and that deliveries would be for food only.

In response to concerns about noise, Mr Zilkha said that deliveries of supplies normally happen overnight, with suppliers having keys, and that staff are strict about minimising noise. Rubbish is put out at around 23:00 for collection on the high street, and staff lift the bins rather than rolling them to reduce noise. He also apologised for a loud opening party, and assured the sub-committee that it would not happen again, with no live or loud music in the future.

Mr Zilkha also addressed concerns about smoking, stating that staff are instructed to smoke on the high street away from the premises, and not in the residential areas. He also stated that alcohol is always served with food, and that the premises has a quiet lounge area with respectful customers. He agreed to a drinking up time of 22:30, with closure at 23:00.

Objections

Andrew Stainsby, nominated by Helena Cook, a local resident, objected to the application on the grounds of prevention of public nuisance, citing noise, music, litter and light pollution. He said that Ms Cook's residential property is very close to The Base, and that she is already experiencing noise from extractor fans, deliveries and rubbish collections. He also mentioned a recent party at The Base that lasted until 02:00, making sleep impossible.

Mr Stainsby said that Ms Cook was supportive of local businesses, but needs to sleep at night, and is surprised that an industrial sized bakery with large extractor fans has been given planning permission in a residential and conservation area.

Mr Zilkha responded that the business was not an industrial sized unit, and that measures had been taken to minimise noise and unpleasant smells. He also argued that the issues raised were not relevant to the sale of alcohol.

Sub-Committee's Decision

The sub-committee acknowledged the concerns about the extractor fan, but stated that this was a planning matter rather than a licensing one. They were satisfied that the licensing objectives would be promoted by granting the variation with the conditions offered and imposed. They were reassured that there would be no live music and that any music would be background music only, and that there would be no off sales of alcohol. They recognised that the business is food-led and a useful addition to the local night-time economy.

The sub-committee took account of the representations from local residents, and conserved the fact that historically licensed premises have closed earlier on Sundays. They considered it appropriate that The Base should also close earlier on Sundays to provide some respite to local residents. They also added several conditions to minimise any disruption to local residents, including regarding smoking and hours for disposal of bottles, keeping the doors and windows closed after 21:00, and ensuring a member of staff accompanies/is at the door when patrons leave during the last half an hour up to closing time.

The sub-committee concluded that the decision to grant a premises licence with the conditions agreed and imposed would be an appropriate and proportionate response to uphold the licensing objectives of the Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Public Safety, the Prevention of Public Nuisance and the Protection of Children from Harm.

Minutes

Councillors approved the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee hearings held on Thursday 13 November 2025 and Thursday 27 November 2025.