Lewisham's Licensing Committee met on Monday, 21 July 2025, to consider a licensing application for the Star & Garter AKA Dokis Lounge, located at 490 New Cross Road. Citing the need to discuss exempt information, the committee voted to exclude both the press and public from the session.

The decision to hold a private session was made under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as noted in the agenda. This provision allows for the exclusion of the press and public when discussions are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act. The Exclusion of the Press and Public document stated that the committee agreed that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Prior to the exclusion, Councillor Yemisi Anifowose, chair of the committee, welcomed attendees to the remote hearing and outlined the purpose of the meeting: This is a formal virtual hearing which is open to the press and public, the purpose of which is to make the decision, to make a decision on the application, having considered all evidence presented before us, including written reports, verbal representations and any questions asked and answered.

Councillor David Walker stated that the premise falls within Deptford Ward and that he is a councillor for Deptford Ward. Councillor Anifowose clarified that this was not a declaration of interest. While Councillor Walker's position as a Deptford Ward councillor was noted, the meeting documents do not specify what impact, if any, this position has on the licensing decision.

The specific information deemed 'exempt' concerned details covered by paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972. The committee determined that revealing this information would be against the public interest, as detailed in the Exclusion of the Press and Public report.

The committee then moved into a private session to discuss the licensing application for the Star & Garter AKA Dokis Lounge.