Beckenham restaurant, Pierluigi's Pasta Fresca, is facing a licence review following an alleged sexual assault at the premises in June. The Bromley Council Licensing Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, to discuss the application for a new premises licence and objections to it.
The application, made by Pierluigi's Restaurant Limited, seeks permission for extended opening hours, the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and recorded music. However, the application has faced strong opposition from the Metropolitan Police, the Planning Authority, the Statutory Nuisance & Anti-Social Behaviour Team, and Licensing as a Responsible Authority, as well as ward councillors and local residents.
The Metropolitan Police initially requested an adjournment to gather further information and complete their investigation into the alleged serious sexual assault at the premises on 22 June 2025. According to police reports, officers were called to the restaurant at 01:19 after a male customer reported that his girlfriend had been attacked inside. Officers found a distressed female victim being treated with ice packs. The police investigation was allegedly hampered by other customers talking over the victim and trying to suggest a different account of what had taken place. Police were also told that the CCTV only covered the entrance and exit area, therefore there was no footage to assist with the investigation of the alleged offences.
PC Tina Dandridge of the Bromley Police Licensing Team, stated that the police object to the application under the licensing objective of public nuisance. The police noted that the application did not include measures applied by the licensing sub-committee at a hearing on 12th March 2025, including the removal of live and recorded music as a licensable activity, and the installation of CCTV covering the internal dining area and recording audio. Specifically, the sub-committee had determined that live and recorded music should be removed entirely as a licensable activity, that background music should not exceed the level of normal conversation, that a CCTV system should cover all entrances, exits, and the internal dining area with audio recording, and that the premises licence should be suspended for two months to allow for CCTV upgrades and improved relations with the licensing team and police.
The Planning Authority cited two pending enforcement cases related to the site as grounds for objection: 24/00789/BRCOND and 22/00454/OPDEV. The Statutory Nuisance & Anti-Social Behaviour Team raised concerns about the potential for public nuisance due to loud amplified music emanating from the premises. Licensing as a Responsible Authority cited a history of the business failing to promote licensing objectives, and a failure to engage with authorities.
Two ward councillors, Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross and Councillor Will Connolly, also objected to the application, raising concerns about noise complaints from residents.
Several residents submitted representations, both objecting to and supporting the application. Those objecting raised concerns about public nuisance and late-night disturbances, the suitability of the existing venue, unsafe parking, the impact on community well-being, the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. Those supporting the application emphasised the restaurant's positive contribution to the community and local economy, its professional management, and its high standards.
The report pack noted the licensing history of Pierluigi's, including numerous instances of engagement with the business regarding noise complaints and breaches of the premises licence. These included fixed penalty notices for breaches of Covid restrictions in December 2020, a prohibition notice served on 21 April 2021 under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021, a £1000 fixed penalty notice issued on 11 May 2021, and a noise abatement notice served on 14 May 2022. The premises was also subject to a previous licensing review in August 2022, applied for by the Public Health Nuisance Team to address noise issues, and another on 7 December 2022, with the grounds for the review application stated in Part 2 of the application form. A licensing review on 29 January 2025, is currently subject to appeal at the Magistrates Court.
The Licensing Sub-Committee, comprised of Councillor Christine Harris, Councillor Melanie Stevens and Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, will consider Bromley's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 to 2030, as well as written and oral submissions from both the applicant and those objecting. The Sub-Committee has several options: grant the license, grant it with additional conditions, exclude activities, refuse to specify a premises supervisor, or reject the application. The decision will be based on the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 to 2030 and written and oral representations by the applicant and objectors.
