The Croydon Council Licensing Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, to consider two Temporary Event Notices (TENs) submitted by Marian Reid for events at 44B Portland Road, South Norwood, SE25 4PQ. Both TENs were objected to by the Environmental Health Pollution Team due to concerns about public nuisance. The committee ultimately refused both applications, issuing counter-notices to prevent the events from proceeding.

Temporary Event Notice for 11-12 January 2025 Refused

The Sub-Committee considered a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Marian Reid for licensable activities at 44B Portland Road, South Norwood, SE25 4PQ, on 11 and 12 January 2025. The Environmental Health Pollution Team had lodged an objection notice, citing concerns about public nuisance.

Michael Goddard, a Councillor Licensing Officer, presented the application, explaining the process for TENs and the role of responsible authorities like the Environmental Health Pollution Team. He detailed the licensable activities proposed: the sale of alcohol and the provision of late-night refreshment between 4pm on January 11th and 2am on January 12th.

Joe Mesure, a Pollution Enforcement Officer from Croydon Council, presented the objection. He highlighted that the Pollution Team had received over 20 complaints from seven residents since June 2023, primarily concerning loud amplified music and customer behaviour after 11pm. Mr. Mesure stated that despite previous engagement, including meetings with Mr. Dafton Robinson, a director of Socco Cheta and chairman of the Croydon Domino's Club, and the service of a Community Protection Warning Notice in August 2024, there had been no noticeable improvement. He expressed concern that the applicant had not demonstrated adequate noise mitigation measures. Mr. Mesure also noted that attempts to arrange a meeting to set a noise limiter had been unsuccessful.

Dafton Robinson, acting as a representative for Marian Reid, presented the applicant's case. He acknowledged that the building had been reconditioned but stated that the windows were single-glazed and that they were seeking funds for double glazing. Mr. Robinson claimed that residents had approached them during events to tell them to finish by 11pm and that they were awaiting the Council to organise a meeting with residents to discuss coexistence. He also suggested that other issues on Portland Road were being unfairly attributed to the Domino's Club. Mr. Robinson stated that they had installed CCTV and a noise limiter, but that the noise limiter had not yet been set by Environmental Health. He expressed a desire to work with residents and officers to resolve the issues.

After reviewing the evidence, including a video submitted by residents, and hearing from both parties, the Sub-Committee resolved to issue a counter-notice, refusing permission for the event. The committee found that the objective of preventing public nuisance was most relevant. Their reasons included the premises' proximity to residential properties, the lack of improvement despite previous interventions, and the ongoing concerns about the premises' willingness to engage constructively with responsible authorities and residents. The Sub-Committee noted that the premises did not have an existing premises licence, which limited the conditions that could be imposed on a TEN.

Temporary Event Notice for 25-26 January 2025 Refused

The Sub-Committee then considered a second TEN from Marian Reid for licensable activities at the same premises, 44B Portland Road, South Norwood, SE25 4PQ, on 25 and 26 January 2025. This application also faced an objection from the Environmental Health Pollution Team.

The presentation of the application and the objection followed a similar pattern to the previous item. Michael Goddard outlined the details of the TEN, which proposed the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshment from 2pm on January 25th to 2am on January 26th.

Joe Mesure reiterated the Pollution Team's objections, stating that the reasons and concerns were exactly the same as for the previous hearing, with the only difference being the event's description as a delayed Christmas celebration. He emphasised the continued lack of adequate noise mitigation measures and the ongoing complaints from residents.

Dafton Robinson again represented the applicant. He objected to the video evidence, claiming it was taken from within the premises, which was disputed by the committee. Mr. Robinson maintained that the Domino's Club did not hold garden parties and that their events were primarily for members, with background music at a low decibel level. He reiterated the need for the Council to organise a meeting with residents and for officers to set the noise limiter.

The Sub-Committee again reviewed the evidence and heard from both parties. They noted that Mr. Robinson had indicated that the event would include a buffet meal with speeches and presentations, background music, and the serving of alcohol. Environmental Health confirmed that the noise issues had not improved since the Community Protection Warning Notice.

The Sub-Committee resolved to issue a counter-notice, refusing permission for this event as well. Their reasons mirrored those for the previous refusal, focusing on the promotion of the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance. They highlighted the ongoing lack of noise mitigation, the history of complaints, and the insufficient engagement from the premises user in addressing resident concerns. The Sub-Committee also noted that the application indicated the provision of relevant entertainment, which, while not defined as regulated entertainment, included activities like lap dancing and pole dancing, and that the proposed times extended to 2am.

In both instances, the Sub-Committee concluded that the events would undermine the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance and that issuing a counter-notice was appropriate to promote this objective. They also made a recommendation for Socco Cheta and the Council's enforcement officers to collaborate on installing and setting the noise limiter as a matter of urgency.