The Licensing Sub-Committee are scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence at The Greyhound pub in Peckham. The Greyhound's operators, E5 Pubs London Ltd, want to extend the pub's weekend opening hours, and make some changes to the activities they are licensed to provide. The council's Environmental Protection team has objected to the application on the grounds of public nuisance.

The Greyhound's Premises Licence Application

The Greyhound, which is part of The Cause group of venues, is applying for a new premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003¹.

The application requests permission for:

• 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

The pub's operators say that:

“The Greyhound is 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.

After taking the premises on in 2023 we were made aware of noise issues associated with the basement use, the last of which was in May 2024, since then he basement area has been soundproofed and refitted to allow for a variety of entertainment, live bands, DJs, Comedy Nights, cabaret and additional activities such as clothing markets, art shows and record fairs. In addition to this we offer the basement area to the local community as a function room.

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.

Over the last year we have successfully operated 12 tens over 15 days which were used to test the later weekend opening times, and since the refurbishment works completed in September 2024 there have been no noise complaints that we are aware of."

Southwark Council's Environmental Protection Team's Objection

The council's Environmental Protection team has objected to the application on the grounds that:

• The Greyhound is in the Peckham Cumulative Impact Area
• The proposed Friday and Saturday operating hours are outside of those recommended in this council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 – 2026
• The pub is located beneath residential properties, and that residents have previously submitted noise complaints about the premises, including two on the weekend of 25 May 2024.

The Environmental Protection Team recommends that the application be refused, but that if the Licensing Sub-Committee are minded to grant the application, they should impose an extra condition preventing regulated entertainment from taking place on the ground floor after 11pm except for recorded music, and requiring all regulated entertainment on the ground floor to finish by 1am.

Representations in Support of the Application

Three representations have been made in support of the application by people who are not councillors. The representations variously contend that:

• The Greyhound is an important cultural and community space
• The pub is inclusive and provides a safe space for the BAME and LGBTQ++ communities
• The Greyhound is a well run ‘grass roots’ venue
• That the proposed change in operating hours will not have a negative effect on the promotion of the licensing objectives