The Licensing Committee of Bexley Council met on Tuesday 7 July 2026 to discuss a range of licensing matters. The agenda included updates on licences determined under delegated powers, a review of fees and charges for primate licensing, and a licensing enforcement update.

Licences Determined Under Delegated Powers and Appeal Activity

The committee was scheduled to receive a report summarising licences granted under the Licensing Act 2003 by the Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Housing, between 1 January 2026 and 31 May 2026. This report was also to cover any appeal activity during the same period and details of decisions made under delegated powers to refuse or revoke licences under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

The report was expected to detail ten new premises licences granted, including licences for:

• Mehmaan at 270 Broadway, Bexleyheath, for restaurant alcohol sales and late-night refreshment.
• Niro Express at 137-139 Blendon Road, Bexley, for off-sales of alcohol and late-night refreshment.
• Momo at Unit 4, 107 Broadway, Bexleyheath, for restaurant alcohol sales.
• L Minimart at 47 Northend Road, Erith, for off-sales of alcohol.
• Montalbano Restaurant at 125-129 Bellegrove Road, Welling, for restaurant alcohol sales and late-night refreshment.
• Kaiya Spa at 66 Avenue Road, Bexleyheath, for alcohol sales within the spa.
• Welling United Football Club for a temporary licence for a Fan Zone at Park View Road, Welling, to extend an existing premises licence to include outdoor areas for alcohol sales and late-night refreshment, expiring on 20 July 2026.
• Welling Superstore at 47B Bellegrove Road, Welling, for off-sales of alcohol.
• Ofada Foods at 7 Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, for off-sales of alcohol.
• Taste Of The Caribbean Food & Drink Festival at Danson Park, Bexleyheath, for live and recorded music and alcohol sales on specific days between May and September 2026.

Three full variations to existing licences were also expected to be reported, including:

• Select Convenience at 3-4 Bourne Parade, Bexley, for a variation to remove specific conditions related to record-keeping, alcohol strength, and till prompts.
• London Premier Inn at 51 Albion Road, Bexleyheath, for a variation related to plans for refurbishment.
• Alers Stores at 71 Alers Road, Bexleyheath, for a variation related to trading name and Designated Premises Supervisor address.

Additionally, two minor variations were expected to be determined:

• Lidl at 10-12 and 20 Broadway, Bexleyheath, for a variation to remove conditions related to school children access and SIA security staff, replacing them with a requirement for regular risk assessments.
• Crayford Food And Wine at 71C Crayford Road, Crayford, for a variation of trading name and update of DPS address.

The report was also to cover thirty-four applications to change the name of a designated premises supervisor and nineteen applications to transfer existing premises licences. Information regarding one appeal by the Traditional Hub Pub Company Limited concerning a decision made on 20 April 2026 regarding the premises known as The Alma was also to be noted.

Fees and Charges - Primate Licensing

The committee was scheduled to consider a report proposing the introduction of a fee for primate licensing, a new area of licensing that came into effect on 6 April 2026. The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 require private keepers to hold a licence to keep primates, ensuring zoo-level welfare standards. The report was expected to recommend approving a table of fees for primate licensing, to be effective from 1 August 2026, as detailed in Appendix A of the report. This proposal aligns with the council's charging policy to recover the full cost of providing services.

Licensing Enforcement Update

A report was scheduled to provide an update on licensing work carried out by Trading Standards between January and July 2026. This was to include inspections of restaurants for alcohol licensing compliance, routine inspections of animal establishments, and efforts to license special treatment premises and encourage compliance from unlicensed ones, particularly those advertising on social media. The report was also to note minimal work concerning scrap metal licensing, with information on two new premises licensed and one threatened with a closure notice for non-payment of fees. Future licensing trends, including advice on the new Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, were also to be discussed, alongside information on a requested closure order for an illicit tobacco premises in Sidcup. Test purchasing operations and concerns regarding non-compliant sensory toys were also to be covered.

Approved Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee

The committee was to be provided with brief details of three Licensing Sub-Committee hearings where minutes had been approved and signed off since the last Licensing Committee meeting. These were to include:

• A review of a Premises Licence for Sveiki at 18 Gilbert Road, Belvedere, Kent DA17 5DA, following a closure order, with the outcome of the licence being revoked.
• Consideration of an Objection Notice issued by the Metropolitan Police Service and Environmental Health Service regarding a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) at Bexleyheath Clock Tower, Market Place, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 7DZ, with the outcome that the temporary event was not authorised.
• A Premises Licence application for Morley's Takeaway, 33a Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4QU, with the outcome that the application was refused.

The report was also to note minutes pending sign-off for a hearing on 18 June 2026 concerning a review of the Premises Licence for Tap 3, Wellington Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9NB, where the decision was to be determined.

Items of Late Business

The committee was to consider any items of late business, which would only be dealt with if the Chairman deemed them to be urgent due to special circumstances.

Declarations of Interest

Members were to be provided with general guidance on declaring interests, including Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests, as defined by The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 20 January 2026

The committee was scheduled to review and confirm the minutes from the previous meeting held on 20 January 2026.