The Licensing Panel (Licensing Act 2003 Functions) of Brighton and Hove Council met on 1 September 2025 to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence. The application was made by We Are A Company Limited for the Lost + Found Beer Cafe at 298 Ditchling Road, Brighton. The panel was scheduled to discuss representations received in support of, and in opposition to, the application.

Lost + Found Beer Cafe - 298 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 6JG

The meeting was convened to determine an application for a variation of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for the Lost + Found Beer Cafe. The applicant, We Are A Company Limited, sought to increase the hours the premises can be open, sell alcohol, offer late night refreshment and play recorded music.

Specifically, the applicant requested:

• Recorded Music: Friday to Saturday and bank holidays – 23:00 until 00:00
• Late Night Refreshment: Friday to Saturday and bank holidays – 23:00 until 00:00
• Supply of Alcohol: Sunday to Thursday – 09:00 until 23:00, Friday to Saturday and bank holidays – 09:00 until 00:00
• Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 09:00 until 23:00, Friday to Saturday and bank holidays – 09:00 until 00:00

The existing licence, granted on 1 December 2021, permitted the sale of alcohol from Sunday to Friday 09:00 to 21:00, and Saturday 09:00 to 22:00, and opening hours of Sunday to Friday 09:00 to 21:30, and Saturday 09:00 to 22:30.

According to the report pack for the meeting, the premises does not fall within the Cumulative Impact Area or the Special Stress Area¹.

The council received two representations opposing the application and one supporting representation from local residents. Concerns raised in the representations related to the prevention of public nuisance.

One representation stated that planning permission was awarded on the basis that customers would be able to sample drink on the premises, and the main purpose of the business was retail of their products, not drinking. The representation also noted:

We have noticed that the premises now supports regular drinkers inside and on the pavement (blocking pavement flow) causing crowds to gather and constant noise. The extension applied for demonstrates that the aim is to become a function facility promoting entertainment and drinking which is not in accordance to the original planning permission.

Another representation stated that the noise on a summer's evening makes it impossible to sleep before midnight and to extend that further into the week is to inconvenience local residents way beyond a reasonable level.

The representation in support of the application stated that the Lost and Found Taproom is a real community hub, enabling local artists to show their work, providing a meeting point for several community groups, and offers a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment. It also noted that the clientele are respectful, and the noise made upon close is minimal and shouldn't be a problem to neighbours.

The report pack also included extracts from Brighton & Hove City Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which took effect from 4 February 2021. These extracts included:

• The licensing objectives, which are: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
• The matrix approach to licensing decisions, which provides a framework of what the licensing authority would like to see within its area and gives an indication of the likelihood of success or otherwise to investor and businesses making applications.
• Guidance on the prevention of public nuisance, including consideration of the location of premises, the type and construction of the building, and the likelihood of disturbance to nearby residents.