The Licensing Sub Committee B of Lewisham Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday 18 June 2026 to consider applications for premises licences. The committee will determine a new application for a premises licence for Dream Story Coffee and a variation application for Johns Newsagent.

Dream Story Coffee

The committee is scheduled to consider a new application for a premises licence for Dream Story Coffee, located at 361 Brockley Road, London SE4 2AG. The application seeks permission to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises between 17:00 and 22:00, Monday to Sunday.

Representations have been received from five members of the public, raising concerns primarily related to noise and public nuisance. The applicant has agreed to additional conditions suggested by the police and the licensing authority, leading to the withdrawal of their formal representations. The report pack outlines the steps available to the committee, which include granting the application as submitted, granting it with modified conditions, refusing to specify a designated premises supervisor, or refusing the application entirely. The committee will need to consider the four licensing objectives: the protection of children from harm, the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, and public safety, in making their decision. The report also references the council's emerging corporate delivery plan, noting alignment with the priority of Justice, sanctuary and care. ¹

The applicant, Dream Story Ltd, has detailed their proposed operating schedule and the steps they intend to take to promote the licensing objectives. This includes measures such as maintaining an incident log, staff training, operating a Challenge 25 policy, and ensuring CCTV systems are in place. The applicant has also provided documentation detailing significant investment in soundproofing and noise mitigation works.

Johns Newsagent

The committee is also scheduled to consider a variation application for a premises licence for Johns Newsagent, located at 158 Lewisham Way, London, SE14 6PD. The application seeks to vary the licence to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current licence permits the sale of alcohol from 08:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

Five representations have been received from local residents, citing concerns about the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety. These residents express worries that extending the hours would exacerbate existing issues of anti-social behaviour, noise, and disturbance in the area. Representations were also received from the Metropolitan Police Service and the Licensing Authority, which were subsequently withdrawn after the applicant agreed to proposed conditions and a reduction in the requested hours to 02:00, Monday to Sunday. The report outlines the committee's available steps, which include granting the application as applied for, granting it with modified conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a designated premises supervisor, or refusing the application entirely. The committee will consider the four licensing objectives and the council's statement of licensing policy. The applicant has proposed conditions including the maintenance of an incident log, staff training, CCTV installation, and adherence to a Challenge 21 policy.