The Licensing Sub-Committee of Croydon Council met on Monday 6 July 2026 to consider an application for a premises licence for Dawat Restaurant. The meeting's agenda included the determination of this application, which had received representations from local residents and a residents' association.

Application for Premises Licence at Dawat Restaurant

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for Dawat Restaurant, located at 1416-1418 London Road, Norbury, SW16 4BZ. The application, submitted by London Road Foods Ltd, sought permission for the provision of late-night refreshment between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM daily, with extended hours for New Year's Eve.

The report pack indicated that the applicant intended to operate as a High End Indian Restaurant covering Ground Floor and Basement and that no alcohol would be sold on the premises. The applicant's operating schedule outlined steps to promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. These included the installation of a CCTV system, maintenance of an incident log, clear signage requesting patrons to leave quietly, and provision of receptacles for takeaway waste.

However, representations were received from the Scots Estate (Norbury) Residents' Association (SERA) and other local residents. SERA expressed concern that while a 1:00 AM finish might be acceptable on Fridays and Saturdays, it was considered too late for weekdays, suggesting a 11:00 PM cut-off. They questioned the practical application of the condition to prevent noise and vibration nuisance, and raised concerns about potential parking issues on residential streets and the impact of patrons leaving late at night. SERA also noted the need to be cautious of future changes in management that might not be as responsible as the current operator.

Another representation highlighted that the premises are situated above residential accommodation, including families with young children, who could be disturbed by late-night opening hours. Concerns were also raised about noise from customers on the pavement and from patrons leaving the restaurant and filtering through the densely populated local area.

The report pack also detailed Croydon Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, including its approach to cumulative impact assessments and the promotion of licensing objectives. The policy outlines that the council will not take need into account when considering applications, as this is a matter for the planning process and the market. It also details specific cumulative impact areas within Croydon, though the London Road, Norbury location of Dawat Restaurant does not appear to fall within these designated areas for off-licence sales. The policy also sets out general principles for attaching conditions to licences, emphasising that they must be appropriate for the promotion of licensing objectives, precise, enforceable, and tailored to the individual premises.