The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Friday 19 January 2024 to consider an urgent application for a summary review of the premises licence for Club 701, located at 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA. As an interim measure, the committee resolved to suspend the licence pending a full review hearing.

Club 701 Premises Licence Suspended

The Licensing Sub-Committee has suspended the premises licence for Club 701, located at 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA, as an interim step. This decision was made following an application for a summary review of the licence by the Metropolitan Police Service, who alleged that the premises were associated with serious crime and disorder. The suspension is in place pending the determination of a full review application, scheduled for 8 February 2024.

The Metropolitan Police Service submitted the application for a summary review under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003¹, after a Superintendent certified that the premises were associated with serious crime or serious disorder. The application cited a serious incident that allegedly occurred between 02:15 and 02:45 on 2 January 2024, a time when the premises should have been closed according to its licence. The police provided details of crime report number 3001447/24.

During the hearing, evidence from the police was heard in private, as it was deemed that public disclosure at that stage could jeopardise an ongoing investigation.

The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for Club 701, George Omozejele, stated that the premises had been open for a ticketed event on the night in question. He expressed surprise at the allegations of serious crime, stating the premises were not busy and that he had been present himself. He was unable to comment further on how future incidents could be avoided, as the full allegations had not been made known to him. The DPS also confirmed that no Temporary Event Notice (TEN)² had been in place for the event, admitting personal responsibility for this oversight. He explained that he believed the premises were permitted to open due to New Year's Day being a bank holiday, and that he had not been fully inducted on the licence conditions.

The committee clarified that while the premises licence allowed for extended hours on New Year's Day morning, it did not permit opening after 05:00 on 1 January 2024, nor on 2 January 2024, as stipulated by condition 396 on the premises licence. The DPS acknowledged the event had been advertised online and was ticketed, with admission advertised until 04:00, which appeared to contradict his statement about closing earlier.

The owner of the premises also addressed the sub-committee, stating they had a restricted role since 2019 due to a condition placed on the licence. They confirmed they were out of the country on the dates in question and only became aware of the police concerns on 18 January. They also stated that their staff had not reported any incidents and that CCTV footage did not show any serious crime. The owner argued that closing the premises for an extended period would have a devastating impact on staff and the business.

The sub-committee was satisfied that the premises had been open when not permitted to be, and that serious crime and/or disorder had taken place. They noted the premises' history of operating without necessary permissions, including a previous summary review in 2019 following an incident where the premises was operating without correct authorisation. The police also informed the committee of credible information received on 3 January 2024 regarding potential gang-related violence at the premises, which led to the voluntary cancellation of an event and the issuance of a closure notice.

The sub-committee concluded that the suspension was necessary and proportionate to promote the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder. They found the DPS's explanations for not submitting TENs to be inadequate and that he did not fully understand the terms of the premises licence. No other modifications to the licence were deemed appropriate at that time.

There is no right of appeal to a Magistrates' Court against this interim decision. However, the premises licence holder may make representations against the imposed interim steps, which would be heard within 48 hours.