Lambeth's Licensing Sub-Committee has approved extended operating hours for La Terraza Tapas Bar, allowing the establishment to serve alcohol and provide entertainment until 3:00 AM on Saturdays. The decision, made on Thursday, July 16, 2026, also permits live music, recorded music, and performances of dance until 2:00 AM on Fridays and midnight from Sunday to Thursday. These extensions represent a one-hour increase for most activities on Fridays and Saturdays.
The application faced objections from the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health, and Planning Services. Concerns were raised regarding the proposed hours exceeding Lambeth's Licensing Policy and potentially impacting residents. Environmental Health cited previous noise complaints relating to excessive bass sound breakout and sound transmission during regulated entertainment hours. Planning Enforcement highlighted a conflict with a planning condition that restricts the A3 use to between 8:00 AM and midnight daily.
Despite these objections, the committee granted the variation, imposing several conditions. These include the installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system. This system must be recordable, capable of providing pictures of evidential quality in all lighting conditions, particularly for facial recognition. Cameras must cover all public areas, including entrances and exits. Equipment must be maintained in good working order and be correctly time and date stamped. Recordings must be kept for a minimum period of 31 days and staff must be able to immediately provide viewable copies to the Police or Licensing Authority Staff upon reasonable request. Recording equipment and data storage devices must be kept in a secure environment with security functions, such as passwords, to prevent tampering. Notices must be prominently displayed within the premises stating that CCTV is in operation.
Further conditions mandate the operation of a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme and detailed staff training records. Staff members engaged in selling alcohol must receive full training pertinent to the Licensing Act, specifically regarding age-restricted sales and the refusal of sales to persons believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This training must take place every six months and be fully documented and signed by both the employee and the trainer. Training records shall be kept at the premises and made available upon request to Police Officers or an authorised officer of Lambeth Council.
Additional measures to prevent public nuisance include keeping doors and windows closed after 9:00 PM and displaying notices requesting patrons to leave quietly. The committee considered the applicant's representation that the extended Saturday hours, from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM, would be financially beneficial. The applicant also noted that they had not yet received an updated premises licence following a hearing the previous year. For more details on the proceedings, refer to the Public reports pack.