Lambeth's Licensing Sub-Committee convened on Thursday to address an application for a premises licence variation submitted by Supercute (LDN) Ltd, located at Unit G1, Coldharbour Works, 245a Coldharbour Lane. The application seeks to extend the permitted hours for licensable activities and to use the courtyard until 23:00 each day for licensable activities, as well as remove conditions relating to door supervisors and the presence of a personal licence holder.
Supercute seeks to use the courtyard until 23:00 each day for licensable activities. The current permitted hours for licensable activities at Supercute are:
- Plays: Friday & Saturday 12:00 - 00:00, Sunday - Thursday 12:00 - 23:00 (indoors only)
- Films: Friday & Saturday 12:00 - 00:00, Monday - Sunday 12:00 - 23:00 (indoors only)
- Live Music: Friday & Saturday 12:00 - 00:00, Monday - Sunday 12:00 - 00:00 (indoors only)
- Recorded Music: Friday & Saturday 12:00 - 00:00, Sunday - Thursday 18:00 - 23:00 (indoors only)
- Performances of Dance: Friday & Saturday 18:00 - 00:00, Sunday - Thursday 18:00 - 23:00 (indoors only)
- Entertainment Similar to Music/Dance: Friday & Saturday 18:00 - 00:00, Sunday - Thursday 18:00 - 23:00 (indoors only)
- Late Night Refreshment: Friday & Saturday 23:00 - 00:00 (indoors only)
- Sale by Retail of Alcohol: Friday & Saturday 11:00 - 00:00, Sunday - Thursday 11:00 - 23:00
The application has faced objections, primarily concerning potential noise and disruption to local residents. While Supercute aims to create a vibrant community hub, some residents fear the extended hours and use of the courtyard could lead to public nuisance.
The Licensing Authority also raised concerns. In a Commercial Licensing Memo, the Licensing Authority stated that it is concerned that the application in its entirety will fail to promote the licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority suggests that the extension of hours, the use of the courtyard and the removal of conditions are likely to lead to an increase in public nuisance, anti-social behaviour and adverse impact on residents in the area.
Supercute's application seeks to:
- Extend the hours for licensable activities.
- Use the courtyard until 23:00 each day for licensable activities.
- Remove conditions 15 and 23 from the operating schedule, which relate to door supervisors and the presence of a personal licence holder.
Supercute seeks to remove conditions 15 and 23 from the operating schedule:
- Condition 15 states:
A minimum of 2 SIA licensed door supervisors shall be on duty at the premises from Sunday to Thursday from 21:00 until the premises closes and on Fridays and Saturdays until 30 minutes after the premises closes.
- Condition 23 states:
There shall be a personal licence holder on duty on the premises at all times that the premises are open to the public and licensable activities are taking place.
According to the Licensing Sub-Committee Supplement Agenda, the premises are categorised as a Café/Bar, and Lambeth's Licensing Policy advises an earliest start time of 11:00 hours and a terminal hour of 23:00 hours between Sunday and Thursday, and 00:00 hours (midnight) for premises of this nature in a local centre shopping parade.
Several representations were submitted regarding the application. 26 representations supported the application, while 22 objected to it. The representations objecting to the application highlighted concerns about public nuisance due to potential noise and disturbance. There were worries about public safety, including risks of antisocial behaviour, public urination, and littering due to insufficient amenities. Additionally, there were concerns about potential harm to the community's character.
In response to the concerns, Supercute has submitted a Noise Management Plan for Supercute Brewhouse Courtyard, outlining measures to mitigate noise impacts from licensable activities in the courtyard, ensuring compliance with Lambeth Council's licensing objectives and respecting neighbouring businesses and residents. The plan includes:
- Decibel Limits: Daytime (9:00–23:00): Non-amplified events (e.g., markets, plays): ≤75 dB (LAeq, 15min) at the courtyard perimeter. Amplified music/live performances: ≤85 dB (LAeq, 15min) at perimeter. Nighttime (post-22:00): No licensable activities; courtyard closed by 22:30
- Amplification & Speaker Management: Speaker Placement: Positioned ≥6m from the domestic first-floor wall boundary and ≥10m from the entrance arcade. Directional speakers angled inward, away from residential areas. Acoustic Barriers: Temporary sound-absorbing panels installed during highamplification events (e.g., live music).
- Structural & Natural Mitigation: Existing Features: Baed metal entrance ceiling and brick walls reduce sound reflection. Dense foliage (e.g., climbing plants, trees) maintained to absorb sound. Future Adjustments: Strategic Greening: Additional vertical gardens/shrubs along the domestic boundary if noise complaints arise. Seasonal Adaptations: Weather-resistant screens deployed in winter to deflect sound upward
- Event-Specific Protocols: Live Music/Film Nights: Pre-event soundchecks to ensure compliance with agreed dB limits. Sta monitors real-time noise levels using handheld sound meter or wireless noise monitor linked to devices. Makers Markets/Plays etc: Crowd capacity limited dependant on event and risk management to prevent excessive chatter. Controlled and monitored amplified music or acoustic performances
- Crowd sizes: Maximum capacity for the 250sqm proposed use of courtyard area would be 1500 however for licensable activities supercute proposes 200 persons. Numbers would be controlled by booking and ticketing events, clicked numbered entry/exit or sta control for seating and standing customers. General use expectation is 75 persons.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application, taking into account the representations received and the applicant's proposed measures to address concerns. The decision will be made with a view to promoting the licensing objectives and ensuring a balance between the needs of the business and the amenity of the local community.
