The Licensing Sub-Committee of Croydon Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Addington Park. The meeting documents outline the details of the application, including the proposed licensable activities and operating hours, as well as representations received from local residents and a ward councillor.

Application for a Premises Licence at Addington Park

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for Addington Park, located at Kent Gate Way, Croydon, CR0 5AR. The application was submitted by JUNIORHALO Ltd. for a time-limited licence to cover events on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August 2026.

The proposed licensable activities included the provision of regulated entertainment, specifically live and recorded music, between 13:00 and 22:00 on both days. Additionally, the application sought permission for the sale by retail of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 13:00 and 21:30 on both dates. The applicant indicated that the maximum number of attendees, including staff, vendors, and attendees, would not exceed 5,300 per day.

The report pack detailed the applicant's proposed steps to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These included measures such as the deployment of SIA¹-trained security personnel, security searches for all attendees, the use of plastic or polycarbonate containers for drinks, and a Challenge 25 scheme² for alcohol sales. For the Sunday event, designated as a Family Community Event, specific provisions were mentioned regarding the protection of children from harm.

However, the application was subject to representations from interested parties, including a local resident and a ward councillor. Councillor Robert Ward, representing Selsdon and Addington Village, raised significant concerns regarding parking management and public safety. He noted that previous events had experienced issues with aggressive and unauthorised parking in residential streets, leading to potential risks for emergency service access. Councillor Ward expressed concern that the proposed use of Rowdown Fields for parking might lead to a reduction in the traffic management measures previously implemented to protect residential areas. He argued that a comprehensive Temporary Traffic Order (TMO), proper stewarding, and the provision of a towaway truck with adequate storage were minimum safety requirements for an event of this proposed scale.

A representation from Addington Village Residents Association, supported by Councillor Robert Ward and Councillor Joseph Lee, also highlighted concerns. These included issues with the effectiveness of the Traffic Management Order (TMO), the late deployment of barriers, insufficient or inexperienced staffing at these barriers, and the potential for fraudulent use of Blue Badges to gain access to restricted parking areas. The representation also noted that a promised tow-away vehicle had not materialised at previous events. Concerns were also raised about the potential for noise nuisance and anti-social activities, particularly affecting Addington Palace due to its proximity. The representation stressed the need for a professional events company and a reputable security company to be involved, with their plans subject to scrutiny by the Safety Advisory Group (SAG).

The report pack also included proposed conditions for the licence, which were developed in consultation with the Police Licensing Officer. These conditions covered various aspects, including queue management, search policies, incident logging, dispersal policies, and the use of CCTV. A specific condition noted that on Saturday 8 August, no persons under the age of 18 would be permitted to attend, but this would not apply to the Sunday event, designated as a Family Community Event.

The Licensing Act 2003³ forms the basis for these decisions, requiring the Sub-Committee to consider the promotion of the four licensing objectives. The council's Statement of Licensing Policy⁴ was also relevant, outlining the council's approach to applications, including considerations around cumulative impact⁵ in certain areas. The report pack indicated that Addington Park is not located within any of the designated cumulative impact areas for off-licences.