Agenda item

The licensing officer presented their report. Members had no questions for the licensing officer.

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

The licensing sub-committee noted the representation submitted by the other person, who was not in attendance.

The applicant was given up to five minutes for summing up.

The meeting adjourned at 10.15am for the sub-committee to consider its decision.

The meeting reconvened at 10.24am and the chair advised everyone present of the decision.

RESOLVED:

Decision

That the application made byChar 1746 Ltd for a premises licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known asChar Chicken, 185 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RWis granted.

Hours

Conditions

The operation of the premises under the licence shall be subject to the relevant mandatory conditions, any conditions derived from the operation schedule highlighted in Section M of the application form, conditions agreed with the Metropolitan Police Service.

Reasons

This was an application made by Char 1746 for a premises licence in respect of Char Chicken, 185 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW.

The licensing sub-committee heard from the applicant who explained the premises was a cafe between the hours of 07:00 and 13:00 and between the hours of 13:00 and 01:00 it operated as a Turkish restaurant and take away.  Alcohol was not sold at the premises.  The applicant stated that after 23:00 hours there was a lot of passing trade from the Elephant and Castle station going down the Walworth Road and since MacDonalds had closed, there was a potential to utilise a late-night licence for his premises.

The applicant had tested the potential by temporary event notices which attracted no complaints.

The application initially sought a licence until 05:00, seven days a week. However,  during the conciliation process, the applicant agreed with the police to reduce the hours to: Sunday to Thursday until 00:00 and Friday and Saturday until 01:00.

The licensing sub-committee considered the representation submitted by the other person, who was not in attendance, who objected to the proposed late hours, despite the agreed hour reduction with the police.

The applicant’s conciliation with the police included a reduction in hours, so that they were in line with the recommended hours detailed in Southwark’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2026-2031.  An additional twelve conditions had been agreed as part of that conciliation.

The licensing sub-committee concluded they were satisfied that the reduced hours and additional conditions addressed the concerns of the other person and granting the licence promoted the licensing objectives.

In reaching its decision, the licensing sub-committee had regard to all the relevant considerations, its equality duties and four licensing objectives and the National Licensing Policy Framework for the Hospitality and Leisure Sectors England and Wales (November 2025) 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 on 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 regarding the area in which the premises are situated. Any appeal must be commenced by notice of appeal given by the appellant to 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.