The Licensing Committee of Lewisham Council scheduled a meeting to address licensing matters within the borough. The agenda included the consideration of minutes from previous meetings and declarations of interest, alongside two applications for premises licences at Lamors Winery, 21 Loampit Hill, SE13 7SZ and 114 Sydenham Road SE26 5JX.

Licensing Applications

Lamors Winery, 21 Loampit Hill, SE13 7SZ

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application submitted by Lamors Winery Limited on 19 March 2025. The application requested permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 09:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

Three representations were received from local residents, raising concerns about:

• The prevention of public nuisance
• The prevention of crime and disorder
• The protection of children from harm
• Public safety

The report pack notes that the representations were examined by officers and were not considered vexatious or frivolous, and that they were received within the specified time.

The applicant had proposed a number of conditions in section M of the application form, and following a representation from the police, additional conditions were agreed, leading to the withdrawal of the police representation.

The proposed conditions included:

• Displaying prominent notices indicating the premises' operating hours.
• Staff training on the Challenge 25 scheme¹, licensing regulations, refusal register maintenance, recognising signs of drunkenness, and emergency procedures.
• Maintaining an incident log to record incidents of disorder, crimes, ejections, complaints, drug seizures, CCTV faults, and visits by authorities.
• Installing and maintaining a comprehensive CCTV system covering all public areas, with recordings stored for a minimum of 31 days.
• Ensuring alcohol on display is not obscured from staff view.
• Preserving crime scenes for police investigation in the event of an incident.
• Displaying a telephone number for residents to contact in case of noise nuisance or antisocial behaviour.
• Restricting deliveries and waste collections between 23:00 and 07:00.
• Taking measures to prevent litter and waste accumulation outside the premises.
• Training staff on the legality and procedure of alcohol sales, with documented training records.
• Implementing a written age verification policy with a Challenge 25 requirement.
• Displaying prominent signage indicating the Challenge 25 scheme.
• Maintaining an alcohol sales refusal register.

The report pack included copies of the application form, premises plan, resident representations, proposed conditions, and locality information.

Objectors raised concerns that:

• The introduction of another off-licence in the area could increase antisocial behaviour, street drinking, and crime.
• The premises' proximity to a bus stop could lead to disturbances and safety issues for passengers.
• Traffic and parking issues could arise from delivery services.
• Public urination could become more prevalent.
• Late-night deliveries could cause noise pollution.
• Illuminated signage could cause light pollution.
• Littering and waste issues could increase.
• Customers loitering outside could cause late-night noise disturbances.
• Children could be exposed to alcohol consumption and potential underage sales.
• The cumulative impact of multiple licensed premises in the area could worsen existing issues.

114 Sydenham Road SE26 5JX

The committee was also scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for 114 Sydenham Road, submitted by Suresh Ltd on 12 March 2025. The application requested permission for:

• Late night refreshment: 23:00 – 05:00 Monday to Sunday
• Sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises: 00:00 – 23:59 Monday to Sunday

The report pack notes that one representation was received from a member of the public. The Police and Licensing Authority did not object, as they felt the conditions offered by the applicant and the additional agreed conditions were sufficient to uphold the licensing objectives.

The applicant, Suresh Ltd, described the premises as a new general convenience store serving the local community. The store would offer a wide range of goods, including groceries, snacks, and household items, with alcohol sales being a part of the overall business. The applicant proposed 24-hour operation to provide maximum flexibility.

The proposed conditions included:

• A CCTV system covering the inside and outside of the premises, with images retained for at least 28 days.
• A staff training scheme covering responsible alcohol sales and prevention of underage sales.
• Vigilance by staff to monitor the area outside the shop for youths causing annoyance.
• Keeping spirits behind the counter.
• An incident book to log details of any incidents.
• An alcohol refusals policy, including refusal of sales to street drinkers, drunk persons, and those unable to provide valid ID.
• Monitoring of the area outside the shop for persons congregating and causing a disturbance.
• An appropriate number of staff on duty, assessed based on peak periods.
• A notice asking customers to leave the premises quietly.
• Regular monitoring of the area outside the premises for litter.
• Adoption of the Challenge 25 Policy.
• A refusals register for the sale of alcohol.
• A due diligence checklist to prevent underage sales.
• A notice advising customers that it is unlawful for persons under 18 to purchase alcohol.

Additional conditions agreed with the Council Licensing Authority included:

• A staff member conversant with the CCTV system to be on the premises at all times.
• All sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises to be in sealed containers only.
• No super-strength beer, lagers, or ciders of 6.5% ABV or above to be sold, except for premium beers and ciders in glass bottles.
• An incident log to be kept at the premises.
• All delivery drivers not to leave their engines running or congregate outside the premises.
• Customers to confirm they are over 18 at the point of completion of an order involving alcohol.
• A clear warning that alcohol will only be delivered to someone over 18 and that identification may be requested.
• Delivery of alcohol not to be made to a person in a public place.
• Delivery of alcohol to be made only to a residential or business address.
• All employed delivery staff to receive regular training on the prevention of underage sales and on the Challenge 25 scheme.

The objector raised concerns about:

• The potential negative impact on the safety and well-being of the community.
• The prevention of crime and disorder.
• The prevention of public nuisance.
• Public safety.
• The protection of children from harm.

The objector stated that the area around 114 Sydenham Road is already a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, with drunk individuals and begging being common occurrences. They also noted that the car park behind the shop is a known location for drug dealing.

Other Matters

Minutes

The committee was scheduled to consider the minutes of the Licensing Committee meetings held on 8 and 24 April 2025. The minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2025 included a discussion regarding an application made by Catford Rhum Ltd in relation to the premises at 48 - 49 Deptford Broadway.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors were asked to declare any personal interests they had in any item on the agenda. The report provided guidance on the different types of interests, including disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests.