The Licensing Sub Committee C of Lewisham Council met on Thursday, 22 January 2026. The primary focus of the meeting was the determination of a new premises licence application for Ornithology Bars and Restaurants Ltd at 14 Royal Parade, London, SE3 0TN. The committee was also scheduled to elect a Chair and review previous minutes.

Election of Chair

The committee was scheduled to elect a Chair for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes from the Licensing Sub Committee C meeting held on 2 October 2025 were scheduled for review. This previous meeting had considered applications for Traffik Bar and Restaurant, KFC, and Glorious Food & Wine.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the committee were asked to declare any personal interests they might have in any of the items on the agenda, in accordance with the Council's Member Code of Conduct.

Ornithology Bars and Restaurants Ltd, 14 Royal Parade, London, SE3 0TN

The main item on the agenda was the determination of a new premises licence application submitted by Ornithology Bars and Restaurants Ltd for the premises at 14 Royal Parade, London, SE3 0TN. The application proposed a range of licensable activities, including the supply of alcohol for on and off-premises consumption, provision of films, live and recorded music, performances of dance, and late-night refreshment. The proposed operating hours extended until midnight on Sundays and Wednesdays, and 1 am on Thursdays to Saturdays, with later hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Representations were received from the Police and the Licensing Authority, which led to the applicant agreeing to additional conditions and concessions. These included the removal of provisions for films and dancing, and the cessation of live music at 10 pm. These representations were subsequently withdrawn. Two further representations were received from local residents; one was withdrawn after the applicant accepted additional conditions, while the other was considered by officers and not deemed vexatious or frivolous.

The report pack outlined the steps the committee could take, including granting the licence as applied for, granting it with modified conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor, or refusing the application entirely. The decision was to be made with regard to the Licensing Act 2003 and the promotion of the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25 and its Corporate Strategy objectives were also to be considered.

The applicant, Ornithology Bars and Restaurants Ltd, is a private limited company registered in the UK. The proposed premises is described as a cheese and charcuterie restaurant of 1,239 sq ft over ground and basement floors, located across the road from Blackheath Common. The application detailed plans for operating hours, entertainment provisions, and steps to promote the licensing objectives, including staff training, CCTV, and measures to prevent public nuisance.

A representation was received from the property manager for 13 Royal Parade Mews, objecting to the application on grounds of potential noise disturbance from deliveries, entertainment, late-night activity, and the over-concentration of licensed premises in the area. Concerns were also raised about potential noise and air quality issues from kitchen extraction systems at the rear of the premises. The objector requested that the application be refused or that strict conditions be imposed.

The report pack included a list of agreed terms and conditions, such as the installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system, operation of a proof of age scheme (Challenge 25), prohibition of unaccompanied children, and measures to prevent noise nuisance and litter. The applicant also offered conditions regarding background music levels, closing times for doors and windows, and signage requesting patrons to leave quietly.