Rushey Green Councillor James-J Walsh has voiced concerns over a new off-licence in Catford, citing potential increases in crime and anti-social behaviour. The applicant, Fresh From Yard Ltd, outlined several measures in their application to mitigate potential negative impacts, including preventing alcohol consumption on the premises, reporting suspicious behaviour to the police, ensuring a safe environment, refusing service to intoxicated customers, and verifying ID for alcohol purchases1.

The Licensing Sub Committee D considered the new premises licence application for Fresh from Yard, located at 29 Catford Broadway. Councillor Walsh submitted a representation against the application, raising concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, protection of children from harm, and public safety.

Councillor Walsh highlighted that Catford Broadway is already subject to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) due to existing issues with street drinking, drug use, and anti-social behaviour. He referenced evidence from the council's 2022-2024 PSPO evidence packs, which indicates that Rushey Green ward, particularly Catford Broadway, consistently ranks among the worst-affected areas in Lewisham for alcohol and drug-related issues.

According to the representation, the area sees high levels of rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour, drug-related offences, alcohol-related callouts for the London Ambulance Service, and complaints related to alcohol and drug-related anti-social behaviour.

To mitigate potential negative impacts, Councillor Walsh suggested several conditions for the licence, consistent with Lewisham's Statement of Licensing Policy 2020–25. These included:

  • No sales of beers, lagers, stouts, ales, porters or ciders above 6% ABV.
  • No single cans or small bottles of beer or cider to be sold. No bottles of beer or cider under 1 litre to be sold, except for premium products.
  • No spirits to be sold in containers of 500ml or below.
  • All alcohol to be kept behind the counter and not available for self-service. No alcohol advertising or window displays visible from the street.
  • Alcohol sales not to commence before 10:00 and to cease at 20:00 daily.
  • Prominent signage to be displayed stating that the premises is within a PSPO zone prohibiting street drinking. Alcohol not to be sold to persons known to staff, or reasonably suspected, to be street drinkers or purchasing on behalf of street drinkers.
  • All staff to receive training in responsible alcohol retailing. A refusals log and incident log to be maintained and available for inspection.
  • The premises to install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system.
  • No amplified music or sound to be generated on the premises to a level that causes a nuisance to neighbouring properties or persons in the street.
  • The licence holder to ensure the area immediately outside the premises is kept clear of litter generated by the premises.

The Agreed Conditions document lists the conditions agreed between the applicant and the police, including keeping an incident log, staff training, CCTV installation, operating a proof of age scheme, and restrictions on the sale of super strength alcohol.

The Licensing Sub Committee D was scheduled to consider the application at its meeting on 14 October 2025.

  1. According to the Fresh From Yard Ltd - Redacted application form, Kenrick Slowley would ensure that there would be no drinking of alcohol on the premises, report any suspicious behaviour or public disorder to the police, provide a safe environment for customers and the community, not serve alcohol to customers who seemed to be intoxicated, and ensure that appropriate ID is shown when purchasing alcohol beverages. Fresh From Yard Ltd - Redacted ↩