The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Thursday 18 June 2026 to consider two applications for premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003. The applications were for Sotto, located at 4 Tanner Street, London SE1 3LD, and Kent Restaurant & Lounge, at First Floor, 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA. Both applications were subject to representations from responsible authorities and other persons, meaning they were referred to the sub-committee for determination.

Sotto, 4 Tanner Street, London SE1 3LD

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application by Sotto London Limited for a premises licence for Sotto, a ground floor commercial unit described as a 2000 sq/f open-plan space with a small kitchen, bar, and dining area. The application proposed the sale of alcohol for both on and off-premises consumption from Monday to Sunday, 12:00 to 23:00.

The report pack indicated that the application had outstanding representations from the Police and Trading Standards, as well as from six other persons. The Police sought additional conditions to promote the prevention of crime and disorder, while Trading Standards requested conditions to protect children from harm. Representations from other persons, primarily residents living above the premises, raised concerns about potential nuisance, including noise, external congregation, vibration, and pest issues. These residents also noted that the premises were initially represented as office use in their tenancy agreements.

The premises is located outside of a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) but within the Bankside, Borough, London Bridge Strategic Cultural Area. The report detailed the operating hours and licensing policies of nearby licensed premises.

Kent Restaurant & Lounge, First Floor, 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider an application by Kent Restaurant & Lounge Ltd for a premises licence for their premises located on the first floor at 516 Old Kent Road. The premises is described as a wine bar and restaurant with a lounge area for private hire, and it intends to host weekly domino games for the local Caribbean community.

The application sought extensive hours for regulated entertainment, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol, extending into the early hours of the morning on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The proposed hours significantly exceeded those recommended in Southwark's Statement of Licensing Policy for premises in residential areas.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, the council's Environmental Protection Team (EPT), and ten other persons. The Police raised concerns about excessive hours, potential for crime and disorder, and a lack of confidence in the management due to a history of non-compliance at the premises. EPT also raised concerns about noise nuisance due to the proposed hours and proximity to residential properties. The other persons included residents from nearby blocks, including John Penry House, which provides accommodation for older and vulnerable adults. Their representations highlighted a documented history of serious issues at the premises, including crime, disorder, noise problems, and licence revocation under previous operators. They expressed concerns that the application, despite being described as a restaurant and wine bar, indicated nightclub-style activity and was incompatible with the residential nature of the area.

The report detailed the premises' history, which included previous licensed operations such as K-Che, which had its licence revoked following serious incidents. It also outlined a history of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) and complaints related to the premises. The applicant, Kent Restaurant & Lounge Ltd, had made previous applications that were withdrawn. The report also included details of the lease agreement for the premises.

The sub-committee was provided with a list of consolidated conditions, including those consistent with the applicant's operating schedule and those proposed by the Environmental Protection Team, as well as conditions agreed with the Police. These conditions aimed to address the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.