Southwark Council's Licensing Sub-Committee is considering concerns over potential noise and anti-social behaviour linked to a venue on the Old Kent Road. The committee convened on Thursday 14 August 2025 to discuss premises licence applications for two venues at 777 Old Kent Road. Both applications face objections from the Metropolitan Police and the council's environmental protection team, who cite existing issues with a similar venue on the ground floor.
The applications, submitted by Grand Empire Group Limited and George Welfare Projects CIC, seek licences for The Grand Lounge on the first floor and Grand Empire on the second floor of the building. Grand Empire Group Limited plans to operate The Grand Lounge as a Licensed bar and restaurant
, while George Welfare Projects CIC describes Grand Empire as a Community hall and space – for use by the church and local community.
George Nwachukwu is the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for both The Grand Lounge and Grand Empire. He is also the Director of Grand Empire Group Limited and the director of George Welfare Projects CIC.
The Grand Lounge has a stated accommodation limit of 250 people. While Grand Empire does not have a stated accommodation limit, plans suggest a capacity likely exceeding 250 people. The council's environmental protection team has raised concerns that the combined capacity of over 750 people across the three venues (including the existing ground floor venue) could lead to public nuisance, particularly late at night for residents on Sylvan Grove.
PC Mark Lynch, Licensing Officer for the Metropolitan Police, voiced concerns about the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and parking issues, noting that the existing venue on the ground floor has already caused problems in Sylvan Street SE1 and has over the years eroded the policy hours
. The police also raised concerns that the description of the premises as a community hall and space
was being used to justify hours in excess of those recommended in the Southwark statement of licensing policy. The police stated that the control measures offered by the applicant were not robust enough for the requested operating hours.
The council's environmental protection team echoed these concerns, citing previous complaints from local residents about the existing premises on the ground floor. Richard Earis, Principal Environmental Protection Officer, stated:
EPT do not believe this residential location is suitable for 3 venues with a combined capacity of over 750 people and the potential for 3 separate simultaneous events with regulated entertainment to take place.
The proposed operating hours are:
- The Grand Lounge:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00 to 00:00
- Thursday: 11:00 to 01:00
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 to 03:00
- Grand Empire:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00 to 00:00
- Thursday to Saturday: 11:00 to 00:30
The report noted that the premises is located outside a cumulative impact area. A cumulative impact area is defined as a designated area where the concentration of licensed premises is believed to be having a negative impact on the local community. In these areas, the council may impose stricter licensing conditions or refuse new applications.
Even though the premises is outside of such an area, the location is still subject to the Southwark statement of licensing policy, which recommends closing hours of 23:00 for restaurants and public houses in residential areas. The applications request hours extending beyond this recommendation. The environmental protection team recommended that if a license is granted, the hours of operation should be reduced to no later than those detailed in the Statement of Licensing Policy for the area.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will now consider the applications and the objections raised before making a decision. The Public reports pack contains further information about the applications and the objections received.