The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Tuesday 20 October 2026 to consider two applications for new premises licences. The committee considered an application for Dr Cloud, which sought to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption, and also considered an application for Serve Bar and Café, which sought to sell alcohol for both on and off-premises consumption, alongside regulated entertainment and late-night refreshments.

Dr Cloud, Unit 4 Chessington North Railway Station, Bridge Road, Chessington

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Dr Cloud, located at Unit 4, Chessington North Railway Station, Bridge Road, Chessington, KT9 2RT. The application sought to authorise the retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 9am and 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

During the hearing, it was noted that an initial representation from Trading Standards concerning the protection of children from harm had been withdrawn following mediation and amendments to the applicant's operating schedule. However, six valid representations were received from other persons, raising concerns related to all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These representations highlighted issues such as existing problems with anti-social behaviour, groups congregating in the station car park, concerns about litter and recycling, and the potential for increased alcohol-related disorder and public nuisance due to the proposed late operating hours. Some objectors also raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed alcohol sales to a vape shop, which they argued attracts a high volume of young people.

The applicant's agent, Manpreet Singh Kapoor of Personal Licence Courses UK, addressed these concerns by outlining the Designated Premises Supervisor's (DPS) experience in the age-restricted retail sector and their commitment to responsible operation. Measures already included in the operating schedule, such as a Challenge 25 policy, CCTV with 31-day recording, and staff training, were highlighted. The applicant also committed to displaying notices asking customers to leave quietly and to implement a no-loitering policy outside the premises.

Following deliberation, the committee granted the licence.

Serve Bar and Café, 78 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames

The committee also considered an application for a new premises licence for Serve Bar and Café, located at 78 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 5EL. The application sought authorisation for the retail sale of alcohol (both on and off-sales), the provision of regulated entertainment (live and recorded music) from 8am to midnight daily, and late-night refreshments from 11pm to midnight daily.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police concerning the prevention of crime and disorder. However, these were withdrawn following mediation and amendments to the applicant's operating schedule. Five valid representations were received from other persons, raising concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These objections focused on the potential for increased noise disturbance from music and customers, particularly during the proposed late hours, and the cumulative impact on the residential area. Concerns were also raised about potential anti-social behaviour, litter, and the safety of children in the vicinity.

During the hearing, Moslem Shekoohi, the applicant's agent, clarified that Serve Bar and Café is intended to be a small, family-friendly café bar with a maximum capacity of approximately 25 customers, not a nightclub or late-night entertainment venue. He explained that the requested operating hours until midnight were for flexibility, with the intention to typically close around 11:00 pm or 11:30 pm. He assured the committee that alcohol sales would be ancillary to the main café business, and that any music would be background music played indoors, with doors and windows closed during occasional private events to minimise noise. He also stated that the external seating area would close at 10:00 pm daily, and that there would be no customer access to the rear mews area. The applicant also committed to installing CCTV, maintaining an incident log, and implementing a Challenge 25 policy.

A resident, Denise Janum, speaking on behalf of a local resident, expressed concerns about noise in the street after 11 pm and requested that specific conditions be added to the licence, including doors and windows being closed whenever music is played, no music audible outside after 11 pm, no music in the outside seating area, and staff monitoring outside from 11 pm until closing.

Following deliberation, the committee granted the licence.