Agenda item

Licensing Act 2003: Stephanie's, 134 Thurlow Park Road, London SE21 8HN

Minutes:

The licensing officer presented their report.  The licensing officer advised that the responsible authorities had conciliated with the applicant prior to the meeting and that the Dulwich Society had withdrawn their representation.  Members had no questions for the licensing officer.

 

The applicant addressed the sub-committee.  Members had questions for the sub-committee.

 

The licensing sub-committee heard from one other person, a local resident supporting the application.  Members had no questions for the local resident.

 

The licensing sub-committee noted the written representation of the other person objecting to the application and the written representations from other persons supporting the application.

 

Both parties were given up to five minutes for summing up.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10.32am for the sub-committee to consider its decision.

 

The meeting reconvened at 10.45am and the chair advised everyone of the decision.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the application made by Raw and Juicy London Limited for a premises licence to be granted under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known as Stephanie’s, 134 Thurlow Park Road, London SE21 8HN be grantedas follows:

 

1.  The supply of alcohol (on the premises):

 

·  Monday to Friday: 12:00 to 21:30

·  Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 to 21:30

 

2.  The supply of alcohol (off the premises):

 

·  Monday to Friday: 12:00 to 22:00

·  Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 to 22:00

 

3.  Opening hours:

 

·  Monday to Sunday: 06:30 to 22:00

 

Conditions

 

The operation of the premises under the licence shall be subject to relevant mandatory conditions, conditions derived from the operation schedule highlighted in Section M of the application form and conditions agreed during the conciliation process.

 

Reasons

 

On 3 February 2022 Raw and Juicy London Limited applied for a premises licence in respect of the premises known as Stephanie’s, 134 Thurlow Park Road, London, SE21 8HN.

 

The applicant explained that the café was fairly new and had only been open for seven months. The intention was to build a café that would be a healing space during the pandemic, a calm nurturing environment that will bring people together and help them to socialise. They stated that it will not be run as a bar.  They added that in the winter it only opened between 09:00 and 15:00.

 

Patrons vary throughout the day; mothers attend with children either side of dropping them off and collecting them from school, dog walkers visit at lunch times, some patrons attend after completing park run and the local retirement home visit for discounted cakes and coffee

 

On a weekday there were generally no more than 100 customers. On weekend days there could be up to 200 customers, but these were staggered throughout the day. Customers have spoken about their wish to have a beer with their pizza in the evening and the applicant stated that they would like to run a quiz night once or twice a month. Live music has been in the form of an acoustic set rather than loud bands.

 

The applicant was made aware of Southwark’s policy in respect of single-use plastics and confirmed they would avoid using them wherever possible.

 

The sub-committee noted that all responsible authorities had withdrawn their representations after conditions were conciliated and the proposed hours for opening and the supply of alcohol were reduced. One nearby resident and a local society submitted representations against the application in advance of the hearing. The sub-committee was informed the local society had since withdrawn their representation.

 

Five residents submitted representations in favour of the applicant and one such resident attended the hearing. They described the premises as a charming genteel edition to the community, particularly for people who would not typically go out but now do with their children.

 

The sub-committee noted the hours applied for were within those suggested by Southwark’s statement of licensing Policy 2021-2026 for a café and outdoor areas. It is on this basis that the application was granted.

 

In reaching this decision, the sub-committee had regard to all of the relevant considerations and the four licensing objectives and considered that this decision was appropriate and proportionate.

 

 

 

 

Appeal rights

 

The applicant may appeal against any decision:

 

a)  To impose conditions on the licence

b)  To exclude a licensable activity or refuse to specify a person as premises supervisor.

 

Any person who made relevant representations in relation to the application who desires to contend:

 

a)  That the licence ought not to have been granted; or

 

b)  That, on granting the licence, the licensing authority ought not to have imposed different or additional conditions to the licence, or ought to have modified them in a different way

 

may appeal against the decision.

 

Any appeal must be made to the Magistrates’ Court for the area in which the premises are situated. Any appeal must be commenced by notice of appeal given by the appellant to the justices’ clerk for the Magistrates’ Court within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the appellant was notified by the licensing authority of the decision appealed against.

 

Supporting documents: