Lambeth Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has refused a licence for Arch 600B to 600D, Ferndale Road, SW9, citing concerns over public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.
The decision was made during a meeting on Friday, August 7, 2026, following an application by Apollo Realtimes Limited for a new premises licence. The application sought authorisation for regulated entertainment, the sale of alcohol, and late-night refreshment.
The committee's refusal was influenced by several factors, including the premises' location in a residential area and requested operating hours that extended significantly beyond the council's licensing policy recommendations. Apollo Realtimes Limited had requested the supply of alcohol and recorded music from 12:00 to 02:00 daily, with extensions to 04:00 on the last Friday and Saturday of each month. Music or dance activities were proposed from Friday to Sunday, 12:00 to 02:00, also with extensions to 04:00 on weekends. Late-night refreshment was sought from 23:00 to 03:00 daily, extending to 04:00 on weekends. These proposed hours deviated sharply from the council's policy, which recommended a terminal hour of 23:00 for similar venues in residential areas, stating such premises were 'Not considered appropriate' in such locations.
Further contributing to the decision was the premises' history of noise complaints during a previous period of operation. Between 2022 and August 2025, the premises, then known as Bridge Cave Bar, Arch 600A Ferndale Road, received seven noise complaints from residents. These complaints detailed loud, excessive bass and amplified music during late nights and early mornings, with one resident reporting being unable to sleep due to bass heard from their bedroom after 11 pm.
A prior licence application for the same premises had also been refused by the Licensing Sub-Committee in November 2023. That refusal was due to insufficient information regarding the premises' structure, particularly a proposed canopy, arrangements for large numbers of patrons, and inadequate toilet provision. The current application, while for a different arch, failed to adequately address these recurring issues.
The applicant's lack of engagement with the licensing authority and residents was also a significant factor. Residents had raised concerns about the potential for noise nuisance, public safety issues related to proposed temporary structures, and the risk of increased crime and disorder. The applicant's failure to provide a detailed operating schedule to address these concerns, coupled with the proposed use of a shipping container for the kitchen and the unclear nature of the premises' intended use, were all cited as reasons for the refusal. The intended use was described as unclear due to the railway arch location, a makeshift container kitchen, and the use of the outside area for paid parking and car washing, with a lack of detail on how the business would operate safely.
More details on the committee's findings can be found in the Public reports pack for Friday 07 August 2026.