The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council was scheduled to consider a summary review of the premises licence for Planet Nollywood, located at 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HQ. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items.

Licensing Act 2003: Planet Nollywood, 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HQ - Summary Review

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a summary review of the premises licence for Planet Nollywood, situated at 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HQ. This review was initiated by an application from the Metropolitan Police Service under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003¹. The report pack indicated that the police had certified that, in their opinion, the premises were associated with serious crime or serious disorder, or both.

The report detailed that the application for the summary review was made on 4 February 2026, following a serious incident at the premises on 1 February 2026, which reportedly resulted in five fatalities. The grounds for the review, as stated by the Metropolitan Police, highlighted a violent altercation that escalated from a minor interaction between patrons. The police report noted that glass bottles and furniture were used as weapons during the incident, contributing to the severity of the injuries sustained.

A significant concern raised in the police application was the alleged breach of licensing conditions, specifically condition 841, which mandates that all beverages be served in polycarbonate or plastic containers, with an exception only for still or sparkling wine in the restaurant area. Evidence suggested that glass bottles were used during the disorder, directly contravening this condition and increasing the risk of serious harm. The police application stated:

The failure to comply with licence conditions, particularly those designed to mitigate the risk of violent injury, raises significant concerns regarding the management and operation of the premises. The presence of glass containers in a crowded, late night environment directly undermined established safeguards and increased the potential for serious harm, which ultimately materialised during this incident.

The report pack indicated that the purpose of this hearing was to consider whether interim steps should be taken pending a full review of the premises licence, which was scheduled to be held no later than 4 March 2026. The Licensing Act 2003² outlines that licensing authorities must consider interim steps within 48 hours of receiving such an application from the police. The report also referenced Southwark's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026³, which guides the council's approach to licensing matters, including the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, the promotion of public safety, the prevention of nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The premises are located within the Camberwell cumulative impact area⁴.

The report pack also included details of the premises licence issued on 21 July 2023, outlining the licensable activities authorised and the operating hours. It also provided a history of previous applications and reviews related to the premises.