Decision Maker: Licensing Sub Committee A

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: August 27, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 1. Radioactive Clothing T/A Slammin Events (“the Applicant”) submitted an application for a Premises Licence on 27th June 2025 for Blackheath Fireworks Blackheath Common, Blackheath, London SE3 0TY (“the Premises”). 2. The application was advertised in accordance with Regulation 25 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005. The last date for representations was 30th July 2025. 3. The particulars proposed for the premise licence were: Particulars of Application Regulated Entertainment Live & Recorded Music, Performance of Dance and Anything of a similar nature 16:00 – 23:00 Saturday Sale of alcohol for consumption ON the premises. 16:00 – 22:30 Saturday The event will be a one-day weekend event to be held annually between the last week of October and the second weekend of November. 4. A Representation was received from the Blackheath Society on the grounds that the Application does not promote the Licensing Objectives, in particular the prevention of public nuisance. The representation was received within the specified time, was examined by Officers and was considered not to be vexatious or frivolous. 5. The Applicant offered conditions as part of the application, appearing in Section M of the form. There are no objections received from the Police and the Licensing Authority as they considered the conditions together with the event management plans offered by the applicant as sufficient to uphold the licensing objectives. 6. No other Responsible Authority made any representations. 7. The Licensing Committee held a hearing on the 27th of August 2025 to consider the Application. Safer Communities, Licensing Officer, Angela Mullin-Murrell, introduced the report. Mr Paul Rooney from the Applicant company then addressed the Committee in support of the premises licence application. He was allowed a fixed period of time and answered Members’ questions. The Committee was informed that the objector, the Blackheath Society, did not have a representative attending the meeting. The Applicant was given an opportunity at the end to briefly sum up. 8. In making its decision the Committee has considered all the papers contained in the report pack and submitted documents, including written submissions, together with the oral submissions presented by the Applicant. The Committee also considered the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25 and the latest Home Office Statutory Guidance, revised in December 2023. 9. The Committee took account of the written representations from the objector and the written and oral submissions made on behalf of the Applicant. The decision of the Committee is to grant the premises licence for the Regulated Entertainment, live and recorded music, performance of dance and Anything of a similar nature and for the Sale of Alcohol for consumption on the premises. The hours were as stated in the application, unmodified. 10. The Committee’s reasons for taking this decision are: a.The hours of operation were appropriate for the proposed event. b.The Committee were reassured by the track record of the Applicant company in successfully running similar types of large-scale events in London and elsewhere and employing skilled and experienced contractors to deliver specialist services compliant with the licensing objectives. c.The Committee noted that in contrast with the free firework display provided in former years, licensing the proposed paid-for event meant that it could be secured within a perimeter and better managed to control noise, security and particularly safety of those attending. Also, timely and orderly dispersal at the conclusion of the proceedings. d.The Committee noted that when the Premises became operational, if the licence conditions were not complied with it was open for any person to instigate the licence review process. 11. 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 Appellant 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. 3rd September 2025