The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Thursday 8 February 2024 to consider two applications for premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003. The meeting was scheduled to discuss applications for Peckham Food and Wine and Club 701.

Licensing Act 2003: Peckham Food and Wine, 176 Peckham High Street, London SE15 5EG

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application from Muhammad Baloch for a premises licence for Peckham Food and Wine, located at 176 Peckham High Street, London SE15 5EG. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises and for the premises to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The report pack indicated that representations had been received from two responsible authorities: the Metropolitan Police Service and the council's own licensing authority. The police objected to the application, stating that the requested hours were outside those recommended in the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy for premises within the Peckham cumulative impact area¹. They highlighted concerns about street drinking, alcohol abuse, and associated crime and disorder in the area. The licensing authority also objected, contending that the applicant had not demonstrated that the application would not further contribute to the negative local cumulative impact on the licensing objectives. They recommended that the application be refused, citing the premises' location within the Peckham cumulative impact area and the prior operating history of the premises.

The report pack detailed a history of previous licensing applications and reviews for the premises, including a licence revocation in 2017 and subsequent applications and variations. It also listed other licensed premises in the vicinity of Peckham Food and Wine.

Licensing Act 2003: Club 701, Basement and Ground Floors, 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider an application made by the Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Police Service for a summary review of the premises licence for Club 701, located at 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA. This review was initiated due to allegations of serious crime and/or serious disorder associated with the premises.

The grounds for the review included an alleged serious incident on 2 January 2024, during which the premises were reportedly open and operating licensable activities outside of their authorised hours and without the necessary authorisation. Police indicated that the investigation into this offence was ongoing. Further grounds for the review referenced a serious assault inside the premises in November 2019, which also occurred when the premises were operating without correct authorisation and in breach of licence conditions, leading to a licence suspension. Additionally, in December 2022, the premises were reportedly found operating without authorisation, resulting in a notification of offences being issued. Police also stated that on 3 January 2024, they received credible information about an event at Club 701 that was expected to be attended by individuals associated with gangs, leading to the cancellation of the event and the issuance of a closure notice.

The report pack detailed a significant operating history of the premises, including multiple closure notices, licensing inductions, inspections revealing breaches of licence conditions, and previous reviews. It noted that an interim steps hearing had taken place on 19 January 2024, where the licensing sub-committee decided to suspend the premises licence pending the determination of the full expedited review hearing. The report also included representations from the licensing authority, supporting the police's request for revocation of the licence due to a lack of confidence in the management's ability to operate in accordance with the licensing objectives.