A Bexleyheath takeaway's application for a premises licence to sell alcohol and late-night refreshments is facing strong opposition from local residents, the police, and the council's licensing authority.
Morley's Take Away, located at 33A Pickford Lane, has applied to Bexley Council for permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises and to provide late-night refreshment until 1am on weekdays and 2am on weekends. The application, submitted by Mr Partheepan Kirushnapillai, states that the extension of services is due to requests from local customers and night workers. According to the application, alcohol would be delivered with a minimum food order value of £12.00 and would not be available to order in the store.
The application includes several proposed steps to promote the licensing objectives, such as maintaining a CCTV system, adopting a Challenge 25
policy, keeping records of staff training, and implementing measures to prevent public nuisance. These measures to prevent public nuisance, as volunteered by the applicant, include restrictions on waste collections and deliveries, and displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents. The specific measures are detailed in the application form, a copy of which is included as Appendix B in the council's report pack.
However, the application has met with significant resistance. Representations against the application have been received from the Police, the Licensing Authority, the Environmental Health Service, and 10 other persons. Copies of these representations are available as Appendix D, with additional information from Kate Ward included as Appendix E.
Concerns raised include potential increases in crime and disorder, public nuisance, and a lack of public safety. Residents have complained about noise and disruption from gatherings outside the premises, as well as littering and anti-social behaviour. The Police and Licensing Authority also noted that a routine inspection on 9 May 2025 found the premises open and trading beyond permitted hours, as detailed in Appendix G.
The agent acting on behalf of the applicant requested that correspondence included as Appendix H be put before the sub-committee members.
This is not the first time Morley's Take Away has sought to extend its licensing hours. A previous application for the premises was refused by the sub-committee on 5 December 2024. The reasons for the refusal are detailed in the decision notice attached as Appendix A to the report.
The Planning Department has also advised that planning permission would be required to operate outside the hours stipulated in planning ref: 13/01708/FUL, which restricts hours of use to 11pm on weekdays, 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10:30pm on Sundays and Public Holidays. The Planning Department stated that these restrictions are In the interests of the amenities of surrounding properties.
Operating outside of these hours without the necessary planning permission could lead to consequences for Morley's.
The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene to consider the application. Councillors Cheryl Bacon, Geraldene Lucia-Hennis and Mabel Ogundayo are scheduled to declare any interests related to the items on the agenda, in accordance with the guidance provided in the Declarations of Interests and Dispensations document.