The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence for The Scrummery, located at 105 Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW1 1BZ, with a number of conditions. The committee considered representations from the applicant, responsible authorities, and interested parties regarding concerns about public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.

The Scrummery Premises Licence Granted with Conditions

The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence to Rubi Rocks Ltd for The Scrummery, located at 105 Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW1 1BZ. The decision was made after careful consideration of all evidence presented, including representations from local residents, responsible authorities, and the applicant.

The licence permits the sale of alcohol on and off the premises, with off-sales restricted to the rear conservatory. Licensable activities will cease at 9pm daily, with the premises closing to the public at 10pm, except for New Year's Eve when extended hours to 3am are permitted.

A significant number of conditions were imposed to promote the licensing objectives. These include:

• Hours of Operation: Licensable activities to end at 9pm, with premises closing at 10pm daily. New Year's Eve extension to 3am.
• Capacity Limits: A maximum of 20 patrons allowed in the front courtyard area at any one time, with the area to be cleared by 9pm.
• Alcohol Sales: Off-sales restricted to the rear conservatory only, with no alcohol permitted to be taken off the premises.
• Noise and Entertainment: No external speakers or portable speakers of any kind to be operated at the premises. No amplified music or flashing lights outside the premises at any time.
• Staffing and Security: A comprehensive CCTV system, SIA door supervisors to be employed based on risk assessment, and sufficient SIA staff to manage capacity and prevent loitering.
• Operational Policies: The licence holder must devise and maintain policies on dispersal, security, drugs, weapons, and entry, including searching practices.
• Resident Engagement: Regular meetings with local residents and ward councillors in advance of rugby matches.
• Specific Personnel: Rahul Soni shall not work at the venue in any capacity or be on the premises while it is open to the public.

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant, Rubi Rocks Ltd, had agreed to a comprehensive list of conditions, many of which were proposed by the Licensing Authority's Principal Licensing Officer, Russ Stevens. These conditions aim to address concerns raised by residents regarding public nuisance, public safety, and the prevention of crime and disorder.

The decision to grant the licence was made with the aim of promoting the licensing objectives, with the Sub-Committee satisfied that the imposed conditions were appropriate and proportionate. The applicant's agreement to these conditions, along with concessions made during the hearing, were key factors in the decision.

Background to the Application

The application for a new premises licence for The Scrummery was opposed by several local residents and Councillor Katie Mansfield, who raised concerns about public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. These concerns stemmed from historical issues related to noise, anti-social behaviour, and patrons congregating outside the premises on match days.

The applicant, Rubi Rocks Ltd, represented by Gary Grant, Counsel, proposed a significant number of conditions to address these concerns. These included ending licensable activities at 9pm, closing the premises at 10pm, removing the application for regulated entertainment, and restricting off-sales to the rear conservatory. They also agreed to a condition that Rahul Soni would not be involved in the operation of the venue.

Expert witnesses, David Nevitt (Environmental Health Consultant) and Jim Sollars (Senior Licensing and Compliance Advisor), provided reports based on site visits during match days, suggesting improvements and noting that many issues had been addressed.

Responsible authorities, including Russ Stevens, Principal Licensing Officer, also presented representations. While acknowledging the proposed conditions, Mr Stevens expressed reservations due to the historical issues and the fact that improvements appeared to follow the application for a licence review. He recommended rejecting the application in its entirety, citing conflicts with planning conditions and the lack of accurate premises plans.

Interested parties, including residents and the current licence holders, Mr and Mrs Griffiths, voiced strong objections. They highlighted a lack of trust in the operators, citing past behaviour and the fact that the application was made without the landlords' consent. Mr and Mrs Griffiths stated they were taking back possession of the premises on 31 October 2026.

The Sub-Committee considered the arguments from all parties, including the applicant's concessions and the evidence presented by independent experts. The decision to grant the licence with conditions reflects an attempt to balance the promotion of licensing objectives with the applicant's right to operate a business.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Lesley Pollesche, with Councillor Phil Giesler and Councillor Anton McNulty-Howard also serving on the Sub-Committee. The hearing was filmed for live broadcast.

The full decision notice will be issued within five working days of the hearing.