The Licensing Committee met to determine two applications for new premises licences. A new licence for Jerk Haven at 118 Bromley Road, SE6 was granted, subject to conditions agreed with the Licensing Authority and the Police and the amended hours. A new licence for Dimitri Burgers Ltd at 379-383 New Cross Road, SE14 6AT was also granted, subject to the conditions agreed with the Licensing Authority and the Police.

Jerk Haven, 118 Bromley Road, SE6 2UN

The application for a new premises licence was made by Cleo Thompson. Sixteen objections from local residents were received, with concerns raised relating to the four licensing objectives¹ including the prevention of public nuisance and crime and disorder. The Licensing Authority and Police also made representations, but they were withdrawn after Mr Thompson agreed to a number of conditions and amendments to the hours for licensable activities. No other representations were received.

The Committee heard from Mr Thompson, who described his business as the best in London and argued that a licence was necessary to make it financially viable, allowing him to continue to support local youth. He stated that he was a responsible business owner who abided by all rules and regulations. He also said that he was willing to address the concerns of the residents, for example by cooking jerk chicken inside if the smoke was causing a problem. Residents countered this by stating that Mr Thompson already ran his business as a takeaway and that there had been noise and smoke problems.

Even if the weather was poor, a canopy was erected over the cooking area. Local buses and many cars were electric, were ulez compliant and did not cause fumes. Burning wood and coal caused different particles that were much worse for public health than electric vehicles.

The Committee, in its decision to grant the application, accepted that there had been problems in the past but decided that these would be addressed by the imposition of a number of conditions. These included restrictions on the use of the outside areas of the premises, a requirement for waiter service, a dispersal policy, and a limit on the number of people allowed to smoke outside after 22:00. The Committee also decided to reduce the hours of operation to 00:30 on Monday to Thursday and 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.

Dimitri Burgers Ltd 379-383 New Cross Road, SE14 6AT

The application for a new premises licence was made by Dimitri Glasgow. The applicant had agreed to conditions which were outlined in the agenda, and as a result the objections from the licensing authority and the Police had been withdrawn. One objection from a local resident, that was not considered frivolous or vexatious, was received.

The Committee heard from a licensing consultant acting on behalf of Mr Glasgow and from a local resident who raised concerns about the suitability of the location for a late-night licence. The objector described the area as unsafe, with a history of stabbings, drug dealing and excessive drinking. The objector described the impact of a previous business operating at the premises:

He had to leave and sleep elsewhere because of the noise. Young families in the area also suffered from the nuisance the premises created. It was inappropriate to have such an establishment in the area because it was a residential area and would have a major impact on the lives and wellbeing of local residents.

The Committee considered the evidence and decided to grant the application subject to the conditions already agreed with the applicant, which included a requirement for SIA registered door staff, a dispersal policy and restrictions on the use of the outside area of the premises.