The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday 30 July 2026 to consider two applications for premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003. The meeting will focus on applications for Lulu's, located at 1b Calton Avenue, London SE21 7DE, and The Empire Lounge, situated at Units 1 and 2, 777 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NZ.

Licensing Act 2003: Lulu's, 1b Calton Avenue, London SE21 7DE

The sub-committee is scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Lulu's, a business at 1b Calton Avenue, London SE21 7DE. The application, made by Lulu's London Limited, seeks to allow the premises to operate as a retail deli during the day and a restaurant in the evening, with associated on and off-sales of alcohol. The proposed hours for recorded music and alcohol sales are Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 22:30, and Sunday from 08:00 to 16:30. The premises would be open to the public from 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 08:00 to 17:00 on Sundays.

The application has attracted representations from three other persons ¹, who have raised concerns primarily related to the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. These concerns include potential noise and disturbance from the premises in the evening and from rubbish disposal, and the possibility of the area becoming a no go zone. The report pack indicates that initial representations from responsible authorities, including Trading Standards, the Police, and the Environmental Protection Team (EPT), were withdrawn after agreements were reached with the applicant regarding proposed conditions. The application is being referred to the sub-committee for determination due to the outstanding representations from other persons.

The report also details the premises' application history, noting that it currently holds a premises licence granted to Heritage Cheese Ltd, which was previously suspended due to non-payment of fees. The sub-committee will need to consider the application in light of the council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2026-2031², which provides guidance on appropriate operating hours and conditions for different types of premises within specific areas. The report also touches upon climate change implications, community, equalities, and health impacts, although health impacts cannot be legally considered under the Licensing Act 2003.

Licensing Act 2003: The Empire Lounge, Units 1 and 2, 777 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NZ

The sub-committee will also consider a new premises licence application for The Empire Lounge, located at Units 1 and 2, 777 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NZ. The application, submitted by Speedlink Services Ltd, describes the premises as a Licensed Bar & Restaurant and seeks extended operating hours. The proposed hours for recorded music are Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 to 00:00, Wednesday from 11:00 to 01:00, Thursday from 11:00 to 02:00, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 04:00, with Sunday from 11:00 to 01:00. Late night refreshment and alcohol sales (on and off the premises) are sought for similar hours, with opening hours extending slightly beyond these.

This application has attracted significant representations from responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Service and the council's licensing authority, as well as three local residents. The police representation notes that the requested hours are outside the recommended closing times in the council's Statement of Licensing Policy and suggests additional conditions to address the late operating hours. The licensing authority's representation also highlights that the requested hours exceed policy recommendations and recommends refusal. The local residents' representations raise concerns about existing issues such as noise nuisance, crime and disorder, and anti-social behaviour, which they fear will be exacerbated by extended operating hours.

The report provides a detailed history of previous licensing applications and decisions related to The Empire Lounge and Unit 1 at 777 Old Kent Road, outlining numerous instances of alleged breaches of licence conditions, operating outside permitted hours, and complaints related to noise and public nuisance. The sub-committee will need to consider this history, alongside the current application and representations, in relation to the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2026-2031 is again relevant, particularly its guidance on operating hours in residential areas.