The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene to consider a premises licence application for The Greyhound, a pub on Peckham High Street. The application, submitted by E5 Pubs London Ltd, seeks to modify the operating times and licensable activities at the venue. The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider representations for and against the application.

Licensing Act 2003: The Greyhound, 109 Peckham High Street, London SE15 5SE

E5 Pubs London Ltd has applied for a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for The Greyhound, 109 Peckham High Street, London, SE15 5SE.

The activities and hours applied for include:

• Live music, performances of dance and anything similar to live music, recorded music and performances of dance (indoors)
  • Friday - Sunday: 23:00 – 00:00 (midnight)
• Recorded music and late night refreshment (indoors) –
  • Monday & Tuesday: 23:00 – 00:00
  • Wednesday & Thursday: 23:00 – 01:00
  • Friday & Saturday: 23:00 – 03:00
  • Sunday: 23:00 – 01:00
• The sale of alcohol to be consumed on the premises –
  • Monday & Tuesday: 09:00 – 00:00
  • Wednesday & Thursday: 09:00 – 01:00
  • Friday & Saturday: 09:00 – 03:00
  • Sunday: 09:00 – 01:00
• The proposed opening hours of the premises are –
  • Monday & Tuesday: 09:00 – 00:00
  • Wednesday & Thursday: 09:00 – 01:30
  • Friday & Saturday: 09:00 – 03:30
  • Sunday: 09:00 – 01:30

In its application, E5 Pubs London Ltd describes The Greyhound as:

a traditional London corner pub, purpose built as a public house in the 1800’s with the earliest mention on record in 1821 it has long history as a drinking establishment over the last 200 years.

As the incoming tenant we have invested in a full internal refurbishment of the premises including replacing the ground floor bar, upgrading the kitchen facilities and moving them to the ground floor, and opening up a second stairwell to the basement function room area with improved sound proofing. Our vision is to deliver a good quality traditional pub atmosphere on the ground floor with a flexible use function room in the basement.

The Greyhound is now part of the Cause Group of businesses and the basement area will be used to incubate small event led projects for local artists and performers, giving them the opportunity to move up to larger stages and performance areas in other premises in the group.

The Cause has a history of working with BAME, LGBTQIA++ and other minority groups and looks forwards to extending it’s equal opportunities approach to this new grassroots incubation project.

Matthew Pryer is the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

The council's environmental protection team (EPT) submitted a representation noting that the premises are within the Peckham Cumulative Impact Area¹ (CIA). The representation states that the proposed licensable hours on Friday and Saturday exceed the closing times suggested in Southwark Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 – 2026 regarding the proposed operating style of the premises, where the premises are located.

The EPT raised concerns about the potential impact on residents, stating:

the premises is situated on the ground floor of a building that contains residential properties on the upper floors and in nearby buildings. The EPT is concerned that residents are likely to be adversely affected by amplified music, both structural and airborne, noise from patrons inside the venue, and disturbances caused by patrons leaving during early morning hours. These concerns are heightened if the premises are permitted to operate under ‘nightclub hours.’

The EPT recommends that the application be refused, but that if the licensing sub-committee is minded to grant the application as applied for, the following condition be imposed on any premises licence issued subsequent to the application:

No regulated entertainment shall take place on the ground floor after 23:00, except for recorded music, with all forms of regulated entertainment ceasing on the ground floor by 01:00.

Representations in support of the application were submitted by three ‘other persons’. These representations contend that:

• The premises are an important cultural space
• The premises are an important community space
• The premises are inclusive, and include programming and a safe space for the BAME² and LGBTQ++³ communities
• The premises are a ‘grass roots’ venue
• The premises are well operated
• That the proposed change in operating hours will not have a negative effect on the promotion of the licensing objectives

One of the representations was submitted by Other Person 1, the founder of Drawing People Together, a socially engaged drawing practice working in Peckham. Other Person 1 states that:

Peckham is a rapidly changing area, and The Greyhound is playing a vital role in creating a neighbourhood space that connects both long-standing residents and newer members of the community. Unlike many venues that claim to support local initiatives, The Greyhound actively listens to the needs of the people around them and welcomes opportunities to engage with grassroots projects.

Another representation was submitted by Other Person 2, the founder of Adonis / Adonis Records, one of London’s leading LGBTQ dance music events. Other Person 2 states that:

I feel smaller, grass roots venues such as The Greyhound are essential for up-and-coming queer artists and promoters to cut their teeth. I feel our community is underserved in South London and a platform in Peckham is essential for our community.

The third representation was submitted by Other Person 3, a resident DJ and ticket buyer of The Cause's venues. Other Person 3 states that:

The team at The Cause has shown their experience and skill in managing both the venue and its patrons while fostering a space that supports local creative talent. I believe that backing The Greyhound’s application to extend their operating hours is essential to securing the long-term success of their business.

The report pack also includes details of temporary event notices (TENs) submitted in respect of the premises since E5 Pubs London Ltd took over the operation of the premises.