Wandsworth Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has yet to make a decision on a licence application for an adult gaming centre at the former Lost Society bar in Wimbledon Park Road, London SW19 7HX. The committee met on Thursday, July 9, 2026, to consider the application submitted by GrassRoots Padel Ltd.
The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises and the provision of regulated entertainment. Initially, the Metropolitan Police and Trading Standards raised concerns. The Metropolitan Police were concerned about crime and disorder, requesting conditions for CCTV and an incident log. Trading Standards focused on the protection of children, seeking conditions for a refusal record, staff training, and age checks. These concerns were subsequently addressed by the applicant's agreement to amend the operating schedule.
Amendments to the operating schedule include reducing proposed alcohol sales hours to end at 21:00 daily. However, exceptions are made for pre-planned community, private hire, or sporting events, with a limit of 24 such events per year. These events are envisioned to be related to the club's activities, such as Hercules and Athletics Club events (e.g., 400-meter races), and other sporting events like paddle tournaments. The applicant clarified that private hire would not extend to third parties completely unrelated to the club or sport contained within the premises, citing examples like the 'Dave Clark mile thing' and events related to athletics, paddle, or gym facilities.
Residents also submitted objections on grounds of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and the protection of children. Their concerns regarding public nuisance included noise from the stadium, late alcohol sales and music, and issues with access and egress, as well as littering. For crime and disorder, residents cited concerns about anti-social behaviour, and speculation about increased loitering and strain on police resources during late-night hours.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the nature of these events, the sale of alcohol, and safety measures for attendees. To ensure the protection of children, the Admiral Adult Gaming Centre will implement a strict 'Think 25' policy for age verification, and a mandatory condition will be in place that no person under 18 is permitted to enter the premises. There will be no direct access between the AGC and other licensed premises. Staff will receive training on identifying and refusing entry to those who appear underage, and independent test purchasing operations will be conducted twice a year. Clear signage at all entrances will state that no persons under 18 are permitted, and lobby areas will be present beyond the street doorway to prevent inadvertent entry. CCTV cameras will cover the entrance and secluded parts of the premises. Staff are also trained to refuse entry to intoxicated individuals and to consider vulnerability, including personal difficulties customers may disclose.
Proposed security measures for the venue, particularly during events with extended alcohol sales, include a comprehensive CCTV system, an incident log, and SIA-licensed security operatives deployed at a ratio appropriate to each event. A residents' hotline will be available during all event hours. Litter management will be a priority, with staff conducting regular litter picking and waste collected by a licensed operator. The 'Ask for Angela' initiative will be in operation at all bars. Alcohol will be served in plastic glasses at all times, both inside and outside. Alcohol service will be ancillary to the principal sporting and recreational use of the site, and patrons will not be allowed to take alcohol into other areas of the facilities. Staff will also escort individuals out of the park via the Wimbledon Park Road gate if it has been closed at 21:00 and they need to exit that way.
However, the final decision on this application was not detailed in the provided information. The full details of the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Supplementary Agenda.