The Kingston upon Thames Licensing Sub-Committee met to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Coffee on the Corner, a café located at 99 Beaconsfield Road, Tolworth. The application sought permission to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday. The sub-committee decided to grant the licence, but with a condition that alcohol sales would not begin until 10am each day.

Coffee on the Corner Licensing Application

Coffee on the Corner Surbiton Ltd applied for a new premises licence to authorise the sale of alcohol at Coffee on the Corner, 99 Beaconsfield Road, Tolworth. Licensing officer Nikki Bentley told the sub-committee that the application had been advertised via a poster at the premises and in a local newspaper, as well as on the council's website. 114 addresses were consulted about the application.

Two representations were received from other persons, and were included in Annex 4 - Objections x 2_Redacted. These related to concerns about crime and disorder, public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm. The Metropolitan Police and Trading Standards had initially raised concerns, but withdrew their objections after the applicant agreed to amend their operating schedule. The proposed hours of licensable activities and operation were detailed in Annex 2- Times of operation.

Applicant's Submission

Kyle Hyams, representing the applicant, explained that the licence was primarily to allow the sale of mulled wine during the Christmas tree season in December. He stated that the café's target market was parents and families, and that they did not want to become a bar. He also noted that the premises had previously been an off-licence.

Hamish Bantock, also representing the applicant, added that they had taken advice from the Metropolitan Police regarding CCTV and a logbook for any objections or issues.

Councillor Jackie Davies asked how the café would manage drinking up time, as the licence proposed closing at 5pm with no extra time for customers to finish their drinks. Mr Bantock said that they could stop selling alcohol at 4.30pm. Councillor Davies also asked if there had been any complaints about noise or disruption. Mr Hyams replied that a neighbour had complained about playing Mariah Carey music too early in the morning.

Representations from Other Persons

Jodie Croft, who is approved to open Surbiton Primary Academy in September 2026 on the site of the former King Charles Centre, raised concerns about the hours of the licence coinciding with the school day. She suggested that the licence could attract alcohol-dependent customers and that outdoor seating could increase exposure to antisocial behaviour for children. Ms Croft said that she would be supportive of a condition allowing the sale of mulled wine after 10am and before 5pm during December.

Felix Dykeman echoed Ms Croft's concerns about the protection of children, particularly given the café's location opposite a playground. He suggested that a condition be added to the licence limiting sales to December. He also raised concerns that customers could purchase alcohol and consume it in the playground.

In closing statements, Mr Hyams said that they would be open to a condition limiting alcohol sales to a six-week period from mid-November to mid-January. He added that they would prefer to have people coming in for coffees rather than alcohol, and would be looking to work with the new school.

Sub-Committee Decision

The sub-committee decided to grant the premises licence, subject to the conditions in the applicant's operating schedule, which were detailed in Annex 3- Operating Schedule. They also added an additional condition that alcohol sales could only take place between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours daily.

The sub-committee noted that the Metropolitan Police and Trading Standards had withdrawn their representations after the applicant amended their operating schedule. They also took into account the representations from the two other persons, which raised concerns relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm.

The sub-committee considered the effect of granting a new premises licence on local residents and the new school opening in September 2026, and were mindful of their ability to amend the hours or licensable activities or conditions if the premises licence was referred to them for a review¹.