Agenda item

The licensing officer presented their report.  Members had questions for the licensing officer.

 

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

 

The licensing sub-committee noted the written representations from the other persons, who were not in attendance.

 

The applicant had nothing to add for summing up.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10.37am for the sub-committee to consider its decision.

 

The meeting reconvened at 11.01am and the chair advised everyone present of the decision.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the application made by Oscar Beltre Mendez for a premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known asOscar’s Barbershop 79 Camberwell Road London SE5 0EZis granted as follows:

 

Supply of alcohol (on sales)	Monday to Sunday from 13:00 to 22:30
Opening hours	Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 23:00

 

Conditions

 

The operation of the premises under the licence shall be subject to relevant mandatory conditions, conditions derived from the operating schedule highlighted in Parts J, K, L, and M of the application form and the conditions agreed with the responsible authorities, theMetropolitan Police, Trading Standards and Licensing Service.

 

Conditions by the licensing sub-committee

 

1.  That alcohol shall only be supplied to customers who are actively receiving a haircut or grooming service, or who are waiting on the premises to receive such a service.

 

2.  That no customer shall be supplied with more than two alcoholic drinks per visit.

 

The licensing sub-committee amended Condition 30 from:

 

·  All drinks shall be decanted into plastic receptacles. Glass bottles and receptacles shall not be permitted at any time.

 

To:

 

·  That bottled drinks shall be decanted into reusable plastic receptacles. Glass bottles receptacles shall not be permitted at any time.

 

The licensing sub-committee amended Condition 21 from:

 

·  Alcohol shall only be sold to persons 21 years and older.

 

To:

 

·  That alcohol shall only be sold to persons 18 years and older.

 

Recommendations by the licensing sub-committee

 

1.  That wherever possible, the applicant agrees to endeavour not to use single use plastics

 

Reasons

 

The licensing sub-committee convened to determine an application for a premises licence in respect of Oscar’s Barbershop, 79 Camberwell, l Road London SE5. The licensing officer presented the application.  He confirmed the application concerned the supply of alcohol (on sale) only. He explained that the applicant had reduced the hours applied for during conciliation process with responsible authorities confirming, the Metropolitan Police Service, trading standards and the licensing responsible authority had all withdrawn their representations following the applicant’s agreement to a number of conditions put forward by them. Fourteen representations from other persons had been received, though none were in attendance.

 

The licensing officer confirmed that the premises is not located within a cumulative impact area and summarised the applicant’s written responses to objectors, including the applicant’s position that alcohol sales would be strictly ancillary to barbering services.

 

The sub-committee next heard from the applicant, assisted by an interpreter. The applicant stated that alcohol would only be supplied to customers actively receiving a haircut or grooming service or waiting to receive one. He clarified that customers frequently request a drink while waiting and some currently purchase drinks from nearby shops, which they then bring into the premises. He stated that he wished to offer the option lawfully and responsibly. The applicant confirmed that drinks would not be proactively offered and would only be provided on request.

 

The applicant further stated that the sale of alcohol would be secondary to the primary activity of hairdressing. He confirmed that only beer and wine would be served, that no super-strength alcohol would be stocked, and that beverages would be served in reusable plastic cups. He also confirmed compliance with a refusal log and stated that identification would be requested for those who appeared underage. The applicant confirmed that staff renting chairs would be fully trained in the responsible sale of alcohol and that a maximum of two alcoholic drinks would be served per customer per visit.

 

During questioning, the applicant confirmed that culturally, it was the practice for barber shops to offer a drink to clients.  He stated that children do attend the premises for haircuts  but they would not be supplied alcohol under any circumstances. He confirmed toilet facilities were available to customers and that alcohol service would cease 30 minutes prior to closing. The applicant also confirmed he would maintain CCTV and operate in accordance with all conditions agreed with responsible authorities.

 

In its deliberation, the sub-committee considered the applicant’s oral evidence, the licensing officer’s report, and all written representations. It also considered the conditions the applicant had agreed with the responsible authorities.

 

 

 

The sub-committee were impressed by the applicant’s willingness to accept additional conditions, including, limiting alcohol sales to customers actively receiving a service, restricting consumption to two alcoholic drinks per visit, ensuring reusable plastic containers are used, and ensuring no glass is provided to customers.

 

The sub-committee imposed the conditions:

 

1.  That alcohol shall only be supplied to customers who are actively receiving a haircut or grooming service, or who are waiting on the premises to receive such a service.

 

2.  That no customer shall be supplied with more than two alcoholic drinks per visit.

The sub-committee also issued a recommendation that wherever possible, the applicant endeavour not to use single-use plastics.  Upon considering the agreed conditions the sub-committee saw fit to make the following amendments:

 

Condition 30 from:

 

All drinks shall be decanted into plastic receptacles. Glass bottles and receptacles shall not be permitted at any time.

 

To:

 

That bottled drinks shall be decanted into reusable plastic receptacles. Glass bottles or glass receptacles shall not be permitted at any time.

 

Condition 21 from:

 

Alcohol shall only be sold to persons 21 years and older.

 

To:

 

That alcohol shall only be sold to persons 18 years and older.

 

The licensing sub-committee took the view that the additional conditions coupled with the agreed conditions, should allay the concerns put forward by other persons and therefore decided to grant the licence being satisfied that the amended conditions were appropriate and proportionate to promote the licensing objectives.

 

In reaching its decision, the licensing sub-committee had regard to all the relevant considerations including the Licensing Act 2003, the Section 182 Guidance and National Licensing Policy Framework (November 2025), its equality duties and 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 desire to contend that:

 

a.  The  licence ought not to be been granted; or

b.  That on granting the licence, the licensing authority ought 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