The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for El Vacilon De Esquina, located at 58a Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8QZ. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items.

Licensing Act 2003: El Vacilon De Esquina, 58a Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8QZ

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for El Vacilon De Esquina, a venue at 58a Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8QZ. The application, submitted by El Vacilon De Esquina Limited, sought permission to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment (live and recorded music), and offer late-night refreshment.

The proposed operating hours were extensive, with the sale of alcohol requested from 11:00 to 00:00 Monday to Thursday, 11:00 to 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 to 23:30 on Sundays. The premises intended to be open to the public from 09:00 to 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 00:30 on other days. Live and recorded music were proposed to run until 00:00 Monday to Thursday, 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 23:30 on Sundays. Late-night refreshment was requested until 00:00 Monday to Thursday, 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 00:00 on Sundays.

The application was subject to representations from responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Service, the Council's Environmental Protection Team, and the Council's Licensing Department. These representations raised concerns about the proposed hours exceeding those recommended in the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy^[1], and the premises being located within the Camberwell Cumulative Impact Area (CIA)^[2]. The police noted a history of anti-social behaviour in the area and a high density of licensed premises. The Environmental Protection Team expressed concerns about potential public nuisance and impact on neighbouring properties due to the late hours. The Licensing Department also highlighted the conflict with the CIA policy and the application's failure to adequately address it.

In addition to representations from responsible authorities, 27 other persons submitted objections. These included local residents, residents' associations, and Councillor Ian Wingfield, the Ward Councillor for St Giles Ward. The objections raised concerns about excessive hours, the potential for the premises to operate as a nightclub, a history of anti-social behaviour linked to previous businesses at the site, noise pollution, waste disposal issues, and the proximity to residential addresses. Some objectors also noted the premises' previous licence revocation in 2013 due to disorder.

The applicant responded to the representations by offering to revert to the hours of the existing premises licence, which would significantly reduce the proposed operating times. This included opening hours of 09:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 09:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Alcohol sales would be permitted until 22:30 Sunday to Thursday and 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Regulated entertainment would cease at 22:30 Sunday to Thursday and 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Late-night refreshment would be available until 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report pack also detailed the history of the premises, which had previously operated as a nightclub called 'Club Couture' before its licence was revoked in 2013. Subsequent applications for restaurant licences had been granted. The applicant had also submitted Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for various dates in early 2024.

The meeting was scheduled to consider the application in light of the Licensing Act 2003, the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Home Office Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The sub-committee was required to determine the application based on its merits, considering the promotion of the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.