The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, to consider a premises licence application for Afrikiko, 871 Old Kent Road and to address any urgent matters. Councillor Renata Hamvas, Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee, Councillor Margy Newens and Councillor Ian Wingfield were the confirmed members of the committee. The meeting was scheduled to take place online/virtually.

Licensing Act 2003: Afrikiko, 871 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NX

The sub-committee was scheduled to review an application by Afrikiko Restaurant & Night Club Limited for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. The application pertains to the basement and ground floor of the establishment.

Afrikiko Restaurant & Night Club Limited, applied to the council on 10 February 2025, requesting the following licensing permissions:

• Sale of alcohol:
  • Monday to Wednesday: 13:00 to 00:00
  • Thursday: 13:00 to 02:00
  • Friday to Sunday: 13:00 to 04:30
• Late night refreshment (indoors):
  • Thursday: 23:00 to 02:00
  • Friday to Sunday: 23:00 to 04:30
• Live music (indoors):
  • Monday to Wednesday: 13:00 to 00:00
  • Thursday: 22:00 to 02:00
  • Friday to Sunday: 22:00 to 04:30
• Opening hours:
  • Monday to Wednesday: 13:00 to 00:00
  • Thursday: 13:00 to 02:00
  • Friday to Sunday: 13:00 to 04:30

According to the application, the venue aims to offer a blend of Western and African cuisines, drinks, and live music. The basement is intended to function as a nightclub and event space. The application identifies Daniel Dorner, the company director, as the proposed designated premises supervisor¹.

Three responsible authorities lodged representations against the application:

• The Metropolitan Police Service raised concerns about the premises' history, citing two previous summary reviews under the current management. They also questioned the suitability of operating a late-night venue in a residential area.
• The environmental protection team argued that the application did not adequately address the prevention of public nuisance, particularly concerning noise and disturbance during late hours. They suggested a number of conditions should the sub-committee be minded to grant the application.
• Health and safety representatives presented evidence of safety issues, including a Prohibition Notice served by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) in summer 2023 and more recent Improvement Notices issued in February 2025.

The report pack notes that the applicant, Daniel Dorner, has applied for numerous temporary event notices² (TENs) in the past year, often starting at midnight.

The report pack also highlights the location of the premises outside of a cumulative impact area³ but within a residential zone. It references the Southwark statement of licensing policy, which recommends a closing time of 23:00 for restaurants and public houses in such areas, and states that night clubs are not considered appropriate.

The report pack details the premises' history, noting that it previously operated as the Canterbury Arms before becoming Afrikiko Limited in 2011, with Daniel Dorner as a director. The premises faced two expedited reviews, one in 2017 following a murder in the car park and another in 2020 for breaching licensing conditions and Covid-19 regulations, leading to the revocation of the premises licence. Subsequent applications for premises licences at the location were refused due to concerns about Daniel Dorner's continued involvement and the lack of a proper lease agreement.

The report pack includes copies of the application, representations from responsible authorities, and notices of decision from previous licensing sub-committee hearings related to the premises.