Wandle Park Cafe has been granted a premises licence to sell alcohol, host live music, and allow dancing, according to documents from a Croydon Licensing Committee meeting held on 2 December 2025. The decision follows a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on 10 November 2025, where the application was discussed in detail.

The application, submitted by Glenard Patnelli, seeks permission to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday through Sunday. It also requests approval for regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, and dance performances from 15:00 to 18:00, Monday through Sunday.

The Licensing Committee considered the application during its meeting. According to the Public Reports Pack, the Head of Environmental Health highlighted that existing exemptions already permit premises with on-site alcohol sales to host live music, recorded music, and dance between 8:00 and 23:00, provided the audience does not exceed 500 people.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a Premises Licence in respect of premises at Wandle Park, Cornwall Road CR0 3HD known as 'Wandle Park Café'. In considering the matter, the Sub-committee took account of the representations received as contained in the report of the Corporate Director, Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery.

The Sub-Committee, having reference to the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 (the 2003 Act), the Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the 2003 Act and the Council Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028, RESOLVED to GRANT the application on the basis that they were satisfied that it would be appropriate to promote the licensing objectives to do so.

The application as granted is subject to the conditions offered by the Applicant in their operating schedule and amended application following discussions and agreement with the Police Licensing Officer (Appendix A2), the mandatory conditions which are imposed under the Licensing Act 2003 and the additional condition outlined below which was agreed on behalf of the Applicant at the hearing.

Additional condition:

The Applicant shall ensure that alcohol is to be sold with the purchase of a meal.

The reasons of the Sub-Committee were as follows:

    1. The Sub-Committee noted that in addition to the agreed conditions set out in Appendix A2 to be placed on the license, the Applicant was also seeking to amend the application to reduce the permitted hours for the licensable activities as follows:
    • · the sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption on the premises) Monday to Sunday from 1000 hours until 1800 hours
    • · the provision of regulated entertainment Monday to Sunday from 1000 hours until 1800 hours; with the performance of dance on Monday to Sunday from 1500 hours to 1800 hours.
    1. The Sub-Committee had regard to the concerns raised by the objectors, which related to the following licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
    1. The Sub-Committee noted there were no objections to the application from the Police on crime and disorder nor from the Council's Pollution Enforcement Team in respect of public nuisance. However, as the application was partly for the sale by retail of alcohol at premises situated in Wandle Park, the Sub-Committee had concerns that the licensing objectives would be engaged, given potential issues that arise as a result of alcohol consumption in parks.
    1. Although the Sub-Committee were mindful that all licensing determinations should be considered on a case-by-case basis, it was noted that the Licensing Officer indicated he was not aware of any premises license being granted that permitted the sale and supply of alcohol on a daily basis at the type of premises that is the subject of this application i.e. a café situated within a park within the borough of Croydon.
    1. In respect of the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, public safety and the prevention of children from harm, the Sub-Committee had regard to the further information submitted by the Applicant in support of the application, which included various policies relating to health and safety, safeguarding and child protection, alcohol sales, noise management, customer conduct and behaviour and events and public gatherings.
    1. The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) Mr Glenard Patnelli who attend the hearing on behalf of the Applicant, acknowledged the concerns raised by the objectors. He submitted that the primary purpose of the café was not to promote a bar culture but rather to provide a safe, family-friendly community space to hold creative events and workshops promoting the arts.
    1. The DPS explained that sale of alcohol would be controlled by having robust measures in place to ensure that the sale of alcohol is managed responsibly. This included ensuring that alcohol is not publicly displayed, for example in fridges or dispensed from draught pumps. As part of the conditions to be imposed on the licence, the Applicant also agreed the following conditions set out in Appendix A2:
    • · A challenge 25 policy shall be in operation at the premises with operate signage on display throughout the premises.
    • · The premises shall have a refusal book or electronic system to record all refusals of sales, this must be made available to the police and local authority officers upon reasonable request.
    • · No vertical drinking, customers drinking alcohol will be seated.
    • · No beer, lager, cider or perry is stocked, exposed for sale or sold that exceeds 6% ABV.
    • · All alcohol will be served in plastic vessels, bottles will be decanted.
    • · All alcohol will be stored in lockable cabinets which will be situated behind the counter.
    • · Alcohol must not be taken beyond the hard stand area adjacent to the building.
    1. In addition to the above, the DPS pointed out that the provision of alcohol would be ancillary to food, meaning that no alcohol would be served without ordering food. In providing clarification to the Sub-Committee as to the type of food that would need to be ordered to allow alcohol to be served, the DPS confirmed that it would be with a meal and therefore ordering a snack such as a packet of crisps would not be sufficient. The Sub-Committee asked the DPS if he would agree to offer a further condition to specify the type of food that would be ancillary to alcohol. The DPS agreed to offer a condition to state that alcohol is to be sold with the purchase of a meal.
    1. With regard to the condition requiring all alcohol to be served in plastic vessels and bottles being decanted, Sub-Committee were interested to know about the measures that would be in place for litter and waste management. The DPS confirmed that there would be bins provided on the premises and all waste would be managed in accordance with the Applicant's Environmental and Waste Management policy.
    1. The Sub-Committee had reference to the Statutory Guidance which provides that, beyond the immediate area surrounding the premises, these are matters for the personal responsibility of individuals under the law. An individual who engages in anti-social behaviour is accountable in their own right. However, notwithstanding this, the Sub-Committee had regard to the view expressed by the DPS that the presence of a family-friendly and well-lit community café could potentially deter anti-social behaviour and have a positive impact in promoting the licensing objectives.
    1. In respect of public nuisance and concerns relating to noise, the DPS submitted that the proposed events and workshops would be lowimpact and community-focussed, which would now end by 1800 hours, subject to a Temporary Events Notice being granted for occasional events going beyond those hours. The DPS confirmed that any live or recorded music playing inside or outside the premises would be regularly monitored to ensure that it does not exceed the permitted statutory noise levels and would be managed in accordance with Noise Management Policy. The DPS also highlighted that there would be signage displayed at the premises reminding customers to leave quietly to minimise any negative impact on local residents.
    1. With regard to the frequency of workshops and events, the Sub-Committee noted that the DPS was unable to confirm how often they would take place at this stage as the café had not yet opened and the DPS confirmed that events would also be subject to funding being provided. However, the DPS anticipated that workshops would take place at least once every two weeks with more workshops likely to run during the school summer holidays. Events would take place once a month. The DPS confirmed that there would be security in place for events, given that there would likely be an increase in the number of people attending the premises on those days.
    1. In terms of the number of staff that would be employed at the premises, the DPS was unable to confirm the details of this at this stage, as the number of staff required would depend on the level of footfall once the café is open. However, the DPS indicated that it was likely that there would generally be a minimum of three staff at any one given time, which could increase to five or six staff depending on the level of interest and footfall. The DPS confirmed that as set out in the policies, all staff would receive appropriate training, which would include training on the Licensing Act 2003, responsible alcohol service, conflict management, safeguarding, health and safety and noise monitoring and control, with refresher training to be provided every six months.
    1. With regard to public safety, and in response to questions of the Sub-Committee regarding lighting in Wandle park, the DPS indicated that as far as he was aware there is no lighting in the park including at the entrance nor on footpaths. As such, the café would stand as the only lit premises in the park and the lighting would operate on a timer.
    1. The DPS confirmed that CCTV would be in operation at the premises which would be closely monitored. The Sub-Committee had regard to the condition offered by the Applicant as set out in Appendix as follows: A CCTV system shall be installed at the premises covering the entrance, the external frontage area and all internal areas, especially covering alcohol. A head and shoulders image to identification standard shall be captured of every person entering the premises. Images shall be kept for 31 days and supplied to the police or local authority.
    1. The DPS informed the Sub-Committee that there had been discussion with the police to add the park to their local patrol route, which is not currently patrolled, and therefore having greater police presence in the park would promote public safety.
    1. In respect of the protection of children from harm, the DPS confirmed that the Applicant had a robust Safeguarding policy in place which applied to all staff, volunteers and contractors working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This included the requirement for mandatory training in safeguarding to be completed, with refresher training to be provided every six months as agreed as part of the conditions in Appendix A2.
    1. The Sub-Committee noted that with regard to regulated entertainment, the application stated that there would be no adult entertainment or services permitted on the premises or any activities that could give rise to concerns in respect of children, and that all entertainment and services would be family-friendly, community-orientated and suitable for all ages. The DPS explained that the type of community workshops taking place would be focussed on arts and crafts, upskilling and children's workshops. The DPS mentioned that the Applicant had keen interest in holding children's workshops as he also owned a company that provided childcare and activities for children after school and during the school holidays.
    1. In response to Sub-Committee's questions regarding whether there had been any engagement with local residents and community groups, the DPS confirmed that there had been on-going discussions with local residents, Ward Councillors, Friends of Wandle Park, the Wandle Park Community Garden and other community groups. Also, a meeting was held to explain purpose of the application and to address any concerns. The DPS submitted that in the interests of the community, there would continue to be on-going dialogue and engagement in working with the local residents, Ward Councillors and local groups to promote the licensing objectives, if the application were to be granted.
  1. Having had regard to all the relevant considerations, the Sub-Committee considered it appropriate to grant the application for a premises license with the conditions as agreed by the Applicant for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives.

The Sub-Committee wished to thank all participants for the way in which they engaged and supported the hearing in providing information to allow the Sub-Committee to consider the matter and make its determination.

To address concerns about noise levels, the DPS stated that any live or recorded music would be regularly monitored to ensure it does not exceed permitted statutory levels, in accordance with their Noise Management Policy. Signage will also remind customers to leave quietly. Security will be present during events to manage larger crowds and ensure public safety. The cafe aims to be a safe, family-friendly space, not a bar.

Furthermore, alcohol must be sold with the purchase of a meal, and it cannot be taken beyond the hard stand area adjacent to the building.

The cafe will provide bins, and all waste will be managed according to the Applicant's Environmental and Waste Management policy.