Decision

DECISION NOTICE

1. Yenka Ltd (“the Applicant”) applied for a new Premises Licence on the 13th August

2026 for The Railway Tavern, 401 Southend Lane, London SE26 5BH (“the Premises”).

1. The application was made and advertised by owner of the business in accordance with Regulation 25 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005. The last date for representations was 11th September 2026. 
2. The particulars proposed for the premises licence were:

Particulars of Application

The application proposes the following activities: 

Supply of alcohol for sale by retail for consumption ON and OFF the premises 

1. 00 - 00.00  Monday to Thursday
2. 00 – 01.00 Friday to Saturday
3. 00 – 23.00 Sunday

Regulated Entertainment – Recorded Music

1. 00 - 00.00  Monday to Thursday
2. 00 – 01.00 Friday to Saturday
3. 00 – 00.00 Sunday
4. Two written representations were received from responsible authorities. The Licensing Authority objected to the grant of the application on the grounds that it would undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.  Lewisham Trading Standards objected to the grant of the application for a premises licence on the grounds that it would undermine the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder; prevention of public nuisance; public safety and the protection of children from harm. The representations were received within the specified time and were relevant representations. No representations were received from any other responsible authority nor any other person. 
5. The Applicant offered conditions as part of the application, appearing in Section M, and set out on pages 51 to 54 of the Agenda and reports pack.
6. The Licensing Sub-Committee B held a meeting on Tuesday the 6th October 2026 to consider the Application. Safer Communities, Licensing Officer, Kennedy Obazee, introduced the report. The owner of the applicant company, Mr Yener Karahan, was then invited to address the Sub-Committee in support of the premises licence application and was assisted by Mr Kieran O’Keefe. He was allowed a fixed period of time and answered Members’ questions. Richard Lockett, Safer Communities Senior Officer, Licensing was invited to address the Sub-Committee on the objections to the application from the Licensing Authority. He was allowed the same fixed period of time and answered Members’ questions. Valda Parker, Crime Enforcement & Regulation Officer was invited to address the Sub-Committee on the objections to the application from the Licensing Authority. Valda Parker related that Mr Karahan had attended a PACE interview at which he was questioned by her. As this was the first occasion the premises had been reported to Trading Standards, Mr Karahan was offered a formal caution for the offence, which he accepted. She was allowed the same fixed period of time and answered Members’ questions. At the end, the Applicant was given an opportunity to briefly sum up his case and so were the representatives of both the responsible authorities.
7. In making its decision the Sub-Committee has considered all the papers contained in the report pack and submitted documents, including written submissions, together with the oral submissions of the Applicant and the two Responsible Authorities. The

Sub-Committee also considered the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy

2026-31 and the latest Home Office Statutory Guidance, revised in September 2026.

1. The decision of the Sub-Committee is to grant the premises licence as applied for, for the following licensable activities:  

• Supply of alcohol for sale by retail for consumption ON and OFF the premises 

1. 00 - 00.00  Monday to Thursday
2. 00 – 01.00 Friday to Saturday
3. 00 – 23.00 Sunday

• Regulated Entertainment – Recorded Music

1. 00 - 00.00  Monday to Thursday
2. 00 – 01.00 Friday to Saturday
3. 00 – 00.00 Sunday

This was subject to refusing to specify Mr Yener Karahan who was named in the application, as the designated premises supervisor. 

The Licence would also be subject to a comprehensive set of conditions based those proposed by the Licensing Authority but also taking into account those put forward in the application and those attached to the original licence. Where there was an overlap, the conditions proposed by the authority would prevail. The definitive set of conditions are attached in an Annex to this decision notice.

1. The Sub-Committee’s reasons for taking this decision are:    

a.                  The hours for both on and off alcohol sales and regulated entertainment, recorded music were appropriate for the premises and did not require amendment. 

b.                  Mr Yener Karahan had received a formal caution accepting he was guilty of having committed an offence under section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 of ‘offering or exposing for sale or distributing’ counterfeit goods in the premises. It was therefore appropriate and necessary, and proportionate, to require the appointment of another qualified person to be the designated premises supervisor in order to promote, in particular, the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder. 

c.                  In the circumstances reported by the officers on inspection, it is necessary and appropriate, and proportionate, to grant the licence subject to a comprehensive set of conditions to promote the respective licensing objectives in the operation of the Premises. 

d.                  The Sub-Committee reminds the Parties that on the Premises becoming operational, if concerns arise over complying with the licensing objectives it is open to any person to instigate the licence review process. 

1. There is a right of appeal against this decision. Any appeal should be made to the Magistrates’ court within 21 days beginning with the day on which the Applicant was notified of the decision.

Any person who has given notice of appeal on a licensing decision to the Magistrates Court, or is considering doing so, should not approach council officers for legal advice. A person making an appeal should seek independent legal advice, for instance, from a firm of solicitors or the local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to assist.    

14th  October 2026  

ANNEX

Premises Licence Conditions

Railway Tavern, 401 Southend Lane, London SE26 5BH

Applicant: YENKA LIMITED

General

1. Initial training. Before being permitted to sell alcohol, each member of staff shall receive documented training appropriate to their role.

•    The Licensing Act 2003 and the licensing objectives;

•    age-restricted sales and the premises age-verification policy;

•    the recognition and handling of suspected counterfeit, illicit, stolen or duty-evaded goods;

•    the premises procedures for checking deliveries, invoices and suppliers;

•    the operation of the incident log and refusals register; and

•    the location, operation and supervision of gaming machines, including the prevention of underage use of age-restricted machines.

•    the Challenge 25 scheme in operation at the premises, including the forms of identification that are acceptable;

•    the hours and activities permitted by the premises licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003 and conditions attached to the licence;

•    how to complete and maintain the refusals register in operation at the premises in relation to the sale of alcohol;

•    recognising the signs of drunkenness;

•    the operating procedures for refusing service to any person who is drunk, under-age or appears to be under-age, or appears to be making a proxy purchase; and

•    action to be taken in the event of an emergency, including reporting an incident to the emergency services.

1. Refresher training. Refresher training shall be provided to all relevant staff at intervals not exceeding 12 months and whenever there is a material change to the law, the premises procedures or the licence conditions.
2. Training records. A written or electronic record of all training shall be maintained, recording the name of the staff member, the subjects covered, the date completed and the name of the trainer. Each record shall be signed or otherwise authenticated by the staff member and retained for at least 12 months after that person ceases to work at the premises. Records shall be made available to an authorised officer or police officer on request.
3. Incident log. An incident log shall be maintained at the premises in written or electronic form.

•    crime or disorder at, or directly associated with, the premises;

•    the discovery, rejection, isolation or seizure of suspected counterfeit, illicit, stolen or duty-evaded goods;

•    visits and interventions by the police, Licensing Authority, Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs or another enforcement body;

•    attempted underage use of an age-restricted gaming machine; and

•    complaints relevant to the licensing objectives.

•    any incidents of disorder or of a violent or antisocial nature;

•    all crimes reported to the venue, or by the venue to the police;

•    all ejections of patrons;

•    any complaints received;

•    seizures of drugs or offensive weapons;

•    any faults in the CCTV system; and

•    any visits by a responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003 or an emergency service.

•    Records must be completed within 24 hours of any incident and will contain the time and date, the nature of the incident, the people involved, the action taken and details of the person responsible for management of the premises at the time of the incident.

1. Refusals register. A refusals register shall be maintained for all refused sales of age-restricted products. Each entry shall record the date and time, the product, the reason for refusal and the name or identifier of the member of staff making the refusal.
2. Retention and availability. The incident log and refusals register shall be retained for at least 12 months from the date of the final entry and shall be made available to an authorised officer or police officer on request.
3. Monthly management audit. The designated premises supervisor shall complete and record a monthly audit of supplier records, invoices, delivery documentation, training records, the incident log and the refusals register. Any discrepancy or compliance concern identified shall be recorded together with the corrective action taken.
4. Operating hours notices. Prominent, clear notices shall be displayed at every public entrance stating the actual operating hours of the premises.

The prevention of crime and disorder

1. Legitimate supply chain. All alcohol and other age-restricted products offered for sale at the premises shall be obtained only from legitimate and traceable suppliers.
2. Supplier due diligence. Before a new supplier is used, the premises licence holder or designated responsible person shall carry out and record reasonable checks to verify the supplier’s identity, business address and contact details and, where applicable, its company, VAT and Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme details.
3. Supplier register. An up-to-date register of suppliers shall be maintained. It shall include the supplier’s business name, trading address, contact details, the date on which due-diligence checks were completed and the person who completed those checks.
4. Invoices and delivery records. Invoices, receipts and delivery notes for alcohol and other age-restricted products shall be retained for at least 12 months. The records shall identify the supplier, the products supplied, quantities, the date of supply and the premises to which the goods were delivered. Records shall be made available to an authorised officer or police officer on request.
5. Delivery checks and quarantining. All deliveries of alcohol and other age-restricted products shall be checked against the accompanying invoice or delivery note by a trained member of staff. Any goods suspected of being counterfeit, illicit, stolen, duty-evaded or otherwise untraceable shall not be offered for sale and shall be isolated from saleable stock pending appropriate enquiries.
6. Stock traceability. The premises shall maintain sufficient records to demonstrate the source of alcohol and other age-restricted products held or offered for sale. Stock for which a legitimate source cannot be evidenced shall not be offered for sale.
7. CCTV system. The premises shall install, operate and maintain a comprehensive digital colour CCTV system to the satisfaction of the Police. All public areas of the licensed premises, including entry and exit points, will be covered. The system must record clear images permitting the identification of individuals and, in particular, enable facial recognition images, being a clear head and shoulders image, of every person entering and leaving in any light condition. The CCTV system will continually record while the premises are open for licensable activities and whenever customers remain on the premises. All equipment must have constant and accurate time and date generation. All recordings will be stored for a minimum of 31 days with date and time stamping. Recordings will be made available immediately upon the request of an authorised officer of a responsible authority throughout the 31-day period. The CCTV system will be capable of downloading images to a recognisable viewable format, will capture a minimum of four frames per second and will be fitted with security functions to prevent recordings being tampered with, including password protection.
8. Operation and download. Whenever the premises are open to the public, a trained member of staff shall be present who is able to operate the CCTV system and provide recordings in a commonly viewable format.
9. Alcohol displays. All alcohol on display will be positioned so as not to be obscured from the constant view of staff.
10. No self-service. There shall be no self-service of alcohol on the premises.
11. Preservation of crime scenes. Where an incident occurs for which the police have been called, the crime scene shall be preserved to enable the police to carry out a full forensic investigation.
12. A zero tolerance will be taken for the use of drugs in the premises.

Public safety

1. Maximum capacity. The maximum number of persons, including staff, allowed at the premises shall not exceed 120.
2. Collection of glasses and bottles. The collection of glasses and bottles shall be undertaken at regular intervals to ensure there is no build-up of empties on the premises.

The prevention of public nuisance

1. Contact telephone number. A telephone number shall be made available and displayed in a prominent location where it can conveniently be read from the exterior of the premises, for local residents to contact in the case of noise nuisance or antisocial behaviour by persons or activities associated with the premises. The telephone number will be a direct number to the management in control during opening hours. Management will keep a record of all calls received, including the time, date, caller information and action taken. Records will be made available for inspection and copying by an authorised officer of a responsible authority throughout the trading hours of the premises.
2. Deliveries. No deliveries in relation to licensable activities shall take place between 23:00 and 07:00.
3. Litter and waste. During the hours of operation, sufficient measures will be taken to remove and prevent litter and waste arising or accumulating from customers in the area immediately outside the premises.
4. Waste and recycling collections. No collections of waste or recycling materials, including bottles, from the premises shall take place between 23:00 and 07:00 on the following day.
5. Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.
6. Notices shall be prominently displayed at any area used for smoking requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and use the area quietly.
7. The license holder shall enter in to an agreement with a hackney carriage and/or private carriage firm to provide transport for customers, with contact numbers made readily available to customers who will be encouraged to use such services.
8. Patrons wishing to smoke outside the premises shall not be permitted to take drinks or containers with them after 22:00hrs.
9. The beer garden will be open to the public between the hours of 12:00 - 21:30.

The protection of children from harm

1. Location and supervision. All gaming machines shall be located where their use can be directly supervised by trained staff, either from the service counter or by another effective means. The machines shall not be positioned in an area that is obscured from staff view.
2. Underage use of age-restricted machines. No person under 18 shall be permitted to use a Category C gaming machine or any other gaming machine from which persons under 18 are prohibited. Any person who appears to be under 25 and attempts to use such a machine shall be required to produce acceptable photographic identification proving that they are 18 or over.
3. Accompaniment and active supervision. A child or young person under 18 who is present in an area containing gaming machines shall be accompanied by a responsible adult and kept under the adult’s active supervision at all times. Accompaniment by an adult shall not permit the child or young person to use an age-restricted gaming machine.
4. Signage. Prominent and legible notices shall be displayed on or immediately adjacent to each age-restricted gaming machine stating that use by persons under 18 is prohibited.
5. Staff intervention and recording. Staff shall intervene promptly where they observe or reasonably suspect underage use of an age-restricted gaming machine. Refused or attempted underage use shall be recorded in the incident log.
6. Training. All staff, supervisors and managers must be trained in the law and procedure relating to alcohol sales before undertaking the sale of alcohol and thereafter at least every 12 months. Training shall be signed and documented. Training records must be kept at the premises and made available for inspection and copying to an authorised officer of a responsible authority on request. Training documentation shall cover at least the preceding 12 months and specify the time, date and details of the persons providing and receiving the training.
7. Age -verification policy. A written age-verification policy shall be in place for the sale or supply of alcohol, specifying a Challenge 25 proof-of-age requirement. Staff must ask any individual who appears to be under 25 and is attempting to purchase alcohol to produce identification. Acceptable identification shall be a photocard driving licence, passport or identification card carrying the PASS hologram. Unless acceptable identification is produced, the sale of alcohol must be refused. The policy shall include documented steps to prevent adults from purchasing alcohol for or on behalf of children under 18.
8. Challenge 25 signage. Prominent signage shall be displayed at every point of sale indicating that a Challenge 25 scheme is in operation.