The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council was scheduled to consider two applications for premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003. These applications involved proposed operating hours and licensable activities for businesses located at 204 Old Kent Road and Units 3-4, Arch 143, Eagle Yard, Hampton Street.

Licensing Act 2003: Lebanese Mix Grill, 204 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5TY

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Lebanese Mix Grill, located at 204 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5TY. The application, made by Ashraf Kassem Mohamed Elhamami, sought permission for late night refreshment and to operate from 10:00 to 02:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and 10:00 to 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The proposed hours for late night refreshment were from 23:00 to 01:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, and 23:00 to 03:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report pack indicated that the Metropolitan Police Service had initially raised concerns regarding the requested hours, considering them excessive for a takeaway establishment in a residential area, and had requested a reduction in hours and additional conditions. However, these concerns were later withdrawn following an agreement on revised hours and conditions. The licensing authority, acting as a responsible authority, also raised concerns that the agreed hours remained in excess of those recommended in the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy¹. The report noted that the premises is located outside of a cumulative impact area but within a residential area where takeaways are considered not appropriate.

Licensing Act 2003: El Punto Sabrosura Restaurant, Units 3-4, Arch 143, Eagle Yard, Hampton Street London SE1 6SP

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for El Punto Sabrosura Restaurant, located at Units 3-4, Arch 143, Eagle Yard, Hampton Street London SE1 6SP. The application was made by Dennis Dariana Abreu Martinez for a new restaurant unit within a railway arch. The original application sought hours for recorded music, late night refreshment, and alcohol sales extending to 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with opening hours until 04:00 on those days.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service and Trading Standards, both of whom subsequently withdrew their objections after the applicant agreed to proposed conditions. These conditions included a reduction in operating hours to align with the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy for restaurants in the Elephant and Castle Major Town Centre, and the implementation of various control measures. However, six representations were received from other persons, raising concerns about the original proposed hours, existing anti-social behaviour in the area, and the potential for the application to exacerbate these issues. These representations highlighted concerns regarding noise, loitering, motorbike congregation, and the proximity of the premises to residential dwellings. Some of these representations suggested conditions such as alcohol sales being ancillary to substantial table meals, no alcohol sales beyond midnight, and a robust dispersal policy. The premises is located within the Elephant and Castle Major Town Centre, and the council's policy recommends closing times of 00:00 for restaurants on Sundays to Thursdays and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.