The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on 7 October 2025 to discuss two applications for new premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003. The committee granted the application for Ramos Restaurant with additional conditions, and granted in part the application for The Secret Garden, also with conditions. Councillor James Giles was appointed Chair of the meeting.

Ramos Restaurant, Turks Boatyard

The committee granted a new premises licence to Ramos Restaurant, Turks Boatyard, Thames Side, KT1 1PX, for the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 11:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday, and opening hours from 08:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

The licensing officer told the sub-committee that Mr Ramazan Cakmak had applied for a new premises licence. The application had received nine valid representations from other persons, relating to concerns about crime and disorder, public nuisance, the protection of children from harm, and public safety. The Metropolitan Police had initially raised concerns, but withdrew their representation after the applicant agreed to amend their operating schedule.

The applicant's agent explained that Mr Cakmak owned another restaurant, Ramos Turkish Kitchen, in Norbiton, and was experienced in the restaurant business. He emphasised that the new restaurant would be family-oriented and different from the previous establishment at that location, the Slug & Lettuce.

Members of the sub-committee asked about the need for off-sales of alcohol and potential noise issues. The applicant responded that off-sales were intended for delivery sales and to allow customers to take home unfinished bottles of wine. He also stated that the restaurant would have soundproof windows and a carbon filter in the extraction system to minimise cooking smells.

One local resident raised safety concerns about the lack of a pavement outside the restaurant and the potential for noise disturbance. Another resident was concerned about cooking smells affecting their quality of life.

The applicant stated that no responsible authorities had objected to the application and that robust conditions were proposed. He added that residents could request a review if the conditions were not adhered to.

The sub-committee decided to grant the application, noting that the proposed hours were within the guideline hours in the Statement of Licensing Policy and that the operating schedule had been amended to satisfy the police. They added conditions to address potential noise issues, including a requirement to keep external windows and doors shut when regulated entertainment¹ was being provided or after 22:00, and to prevent deliveries or collections between 23:00 and 08:00.

The Secret Garden, John Bunyan Baptist Church

The committee granted in part a new premises licence to The Secret Garden, basement of John Bunyan Baptist Church, Queen Elizabeth Road, KT2 6RJ, with conditions. The licence authorises:

• The provision of recorded music (indoor) Fridays and Saturdays 23:00 - 00:00
• The provision of late night refreshment (indoor) Fridays and Saturdays 23:00 - 00:00
• The sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption on the premises) Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays 12:00 - 22:30 Fridays and Saturdays 12:00 - 00:00
• Opening Hours Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays 06:30 - 23:00 Fridays and Saturdays 06:30 - 00:00

The licensing officer stated that Daniel Maclaren had applied for the licence. Representations had been received from the Metropolitan Police and a licensing officer, but these were withdrawn after the applicant agreed to amend their operating schedule. Ten valid representations were received from other persons, raising concerns about all four licensing objectives.

The applicant explained that the premises was a coffee bar during the day and would be used as an event space in the evening for jazz nights, comedy club evenings and private events. He emphasised that it would not be used as a nightclub, but would be a high end venue.

Members asked about the frequency of events and the applicant's experience. The applicant responded that he expected to hold events once or twice a week, with more events over Christmas. He stated that he was an experienced event organiser and promoter with a good relationship with the police.

One local resident was concerned about her disabled child being disturbed by noise at night. Another resident asked about measures to prevent anti-social behaviour and the sale of alcohol to under-18s, given the proximity of a nursery and secondary school. Other residents were concerned about noise from the venue, comparing it to existing problems with nearby premises Pryzm and Fighting Cocks.

The applicant stated that the maximum capacity was 60, but they did not expect to have more than 40 people at any one time. He said they could ask taxis to use the nursery's parking spaces for pick-ups and drop-offs and would do everything they could to help with any traffic issues.

The legal advisor clarified that the sub-committee was required to promote the licensing objectives and that Equalities Act issues were outside of that decision.

The sub-committee decided to grant the application in part, noting that the granted hours were within the guideline hours in the Statement of Licensing Policy. They imposed conditions to address potential noise escape and took into consideration the location of the premises.

Additional conditions imposed by the Licensing Sub-Committee included:

• The use of the premises for licensable activities after 20:00 is restricted to pre-booked ticketed events only.
• No loudspeakers shall be installed and no music shall be audible in the external drinking area.
• Alcohol shall only be consumed by patrons seated at tables in the external drinking area.
• The external drinking area shall be closed to patrons for licensable activities or consumption of alcohol or food at 21:30, save for those temporarily outside to smoke.
• Notices shall be prominently displayed at any area used for smoking requesting that patrons respect the needs of local residents and use the area quietly.
• The premises licence holder shall ensure that any patrons drinking and/or smoking outside the premises do so in an orderly manner and are properly supervised by staff or door supervisors so as to ensure that there is no public nuisance or obstruction of the public highway.
• The licence holder shall ensure that any queue to enter the premises which forms outside the premises is orderly and supervised by staff or a door supervisor so as to ensure that there is no public nuisance or distraction/obstruction to the public highway.
• Notices shall be prominently displayed at the entrance/exit requesting that patrons arrange taxi collections, and respect the needs of local residents, by accessing taxis on Birkenhead Avenue and not on Hardman Road.