The Licensing Sub-Committee considered several licensing applications. One application was withdrawn.

Licensing Applications

The committee considered several licensing applications.

Le Terraza Tapas Bar, 27-31 Bedford Road, SW4 7SH

La Terraza Tapas Bar applied to vary its premises licence to extend its operating hours on Saturdays to 3:00 AM for live music, recorded music, performances of dance, late-night refreshment, and alcohol sales. The application also sought to extend these activities until 2:00 AM on Fridays and midnight from Sunday to Thursday, with no changes to existing seasonal variations.

However, the application faced objections from the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health (Public Protection), and Planning Services. The Licensing Authority noted that the requested hours exceeded those recommended in Lambeth's Licensing Policy and were likely to adversely affect residents. Environmental Health cited previous noise complaints related to bass sound breakout and sound transmission. Planning Enforcement highlighted a conflict with a planning condition that restricts the A3 use to between 8:00 AM and midnight daily.

The applicant, represented by Manuel Rocha, sought to extend Saturday hours by one hour, from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM, stating it would be financially beneficial. The applicant also noted that they had not received the updated premises licence since a hearing the previous year.

The committee decided to grant the variation, imposing conditions that included the installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system, operation of a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, and detailed training records for staff. Other conditions related to incident logs, refused alcohol sales, a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, and measures to prevent public nuisance, such as keeping doors and windows closed after 9:00 PM and displaying notices requesting patrons to leave quietly.

Crispies, 314 Clapham Road, SW9 9AE

Crispies applied for a new premises licence to provide late-night refreshment from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM from Monday to Saturday, and until midnight on Sundays. The Licensing Authority raised concerns that the proposed hours exceeded those recommended in the Council's Licensing Policy and were in close proximity to residential properties. A resident also objected, citing concerns about late-night noise, safety, and anti-social behaviour, noting an increase in people gathering outside the premises since it opened. The resident specifically objected to noise until 2:00 AM every night, except Sundays, stating it would be unbearable.

The committee considered the application and the representations received.

Man In Action, Clapham Common Near Bandstand, Clapham Common

An application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) was submitted by Mr Daniyel Thomas for a free community event on 1 August 2026, from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The event proposed the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises and regulated entertainment. An Objection Notice was received from the Metropolitan Police Service on the grounds that the event would undermine the licensing objectives of public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. The police were concerned that the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated how attendance numbers would be controlled, especially given the event's location on Clapham Common, a large open public space. The police noted that the applicant had accepted these concerns and was in dialogue with the Parks department regarding permission and the use of barriers for crowd management. The Council's Events Team confirmed that permission to use Council-owned land had not been granted. Due to the objection from the Metropolitan Police and the lack of permission to use the land, the application was withdrawn.

Metropolis London, Arches 72 To 73, Goding Street, SE11 5AW

Metropolis London applied to vary its premises licence to extend the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol, recorded music, and late-night refreshment to 3:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and to extend opening hours to 3:30 AM on those days. The variation also included an additional hour on the day British Summer Time begins and a condition that between 1:00 AM and closing, the premises would only operate for pre-booked private events with a maximum of 450 attendees (excluding staff), with no general public admission.

The Licensing Authority objected, stating that the requested hours exceeded those recommended in the Council's Licensing Policy and could exacerbate public nuisance associated with street drinking and anti-social behaviour in the Vauxhall area. However, ward councillors Martin and Dr. Tom Swaine submitted representations in support of the application, believing the venue would not be negatively impacted and would benefit the area.

The committee considered the application and the representations.

Payless, 322 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY

A review of the premises licence for Payless, an off-licence permitted to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, was requested by PC Dave Watson on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service. The MPS cited concerns that the premises' operations undermined the crime and disorder licensing objective. Incidents mentioned included an intoxicated individual being served alcohol at 8:00 AM who later became involved in a violent incident, staff being obstructive, and CCTV footage showing staff acting as aggressors in a violent altercation with patrons, including the use of weapons. Despite a voluntary variation in February 2025 introducing 21 additional conditions, a further inspection in January 2026 identified multiple breaches of these conditions. The MPS proposed reducing the hours for licensable activities to 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily as a proportionate measure. No representations were received from other parties.

Megans Deli, 55 - 57 Old Town, SW4 0JQ

Megan's Deli applied to vary its premises licence to update the internal layout plans and amend conditions related to fixed seating, alcohol being ancillary to a table meal, and the prohibition of vertical drinking. The proposed changes would allow these conditions not to apply within hatched areas on the plans or during pre-booked private events. No changes were proposed to the existing licensed hours or activities.

The application received 12 representations, including one from the Licensing Authority, one from a local councillor, and ten from residents. Objectors raised concerns that the proposed amendments could alter the premises' character from a restaurant to a bar or nightclub, potentially increasing noise, disturbance, and alcohol-related activity, particularly in the predominantly residential area. Concerns were also raised about the management of the exempt areas and private events. Councillor Linda Bray supported the application but requested it not trigger a full sub-committee determination. Councillor Dr. Tom Swaine also supported the application.

The committee considered the application and the numerous representations.