This meeting was to consider an application for a new premises licence for AJ Restaurant and Bar at 11 John Ruskin Street, London SE5 0NS. The application attracted representations from local residents and the Metropolitan Police, as well as several council departments acting as responsible authorities. All of the representations from the responsible authorities were later withdrawn after they reached an agreement with the applicant on the conditions that would be attached to the licence.

AJ Restaurant and Bar

The application was made by AJ Restaurant and Bar Limited for a new premises licence to sell alcohol and play recorded music at 11 John Ruskin Street.

The applicant described the premises as an African restaurant, eat in and takeaway.¹

The applicant initially requested permission to:

• Sell alcohol from 12:00 to 23:00, Monday to Thursday, and from 12:00 to 00:00, Friday to Sunday
• Play recorded music from 12:00 to 23:00, Monday to Thursday, and from 12:00 to 00:00, Friday to Sunday
• Open from 12:00 to 23:00, Monday to Thursday, and from 12:00 to 00:00, Friday to Sunday

The applicant proposed Sadiq Muritala of Gravesham Council as designated premises supervisor.²

Representations from responsible authorities

The Metropolitan Police submitted a representation objecting to the application. They noted that:

The premises is in a residential area and sits outside of a cumulative impact area, and the hours requested exceed those recommended by the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Metropolitan Police withdrew their representation after the applicant offered a number of additional conditions, and reduced the requested hours to those recommended in the council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

Southwark Council's Environmental Protection team submitted a representation objecting to the application due to concerns that they are likely to be affected by premises running in late hours.

Southwark Council's Trading Standards team submitted a representation requesting additional conditions so as to promote the protection of children from harm.

Southwark Council's Licensing team submitted a representation objecting to the application on the grounds that the applied for hours did not comply with the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy.

After agreeing conditions with the applicant, all of the representations from responsible authorities were withdrawn.

Representations from other persons

Nine representations were also received from local residents who all raise concerns in relation to the opening of a new restaurant following difficult experiences with a similarly run venue. The residents stated that:

While the hours have been cut back and conditions have been agreed, there are ongoing concerns in relation to parking for the premises.

The residents compared the new application to a previous licence for the same premises, formerly known as Alabama Bar and Restaurant, and then as D'Connect Restaurant, which was reviewed and revoked by the council in 2016.

The applicant wrote to the residents to reassure them about their plans, stating that:

AJ Restaurant and Bar is committed to fostering a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere rather than functioning as a nightclub or late-night venue.

The Council's Statement of Licensing Policy

The premises are located outside of a cumulative impact area³, but within a residential area.

For premises in residential areas, the Southwark Statement of Licensing Policy recommends that restaurants close at 23:00 and that the area is not appropriate for takeaways.