Lambeth Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has deferred a decision on a variation to the premises licence for Supercute Brewhouse, a microbrewery and artisanal taproom. The application, which sought to extend operating hours, authorise off-sales of alcohol, and include the external courtyard area, was deferred for five working days to allow for further reflection.

Aerial view of the Supercute Brewhouse premises on Coldharbour Lane, London, which was the subject of a licensing application deferral.
Aerial view of the Supercute Brewhouse premises on Coldharbour Lane, London, which was the subject of a licensing application deferral.

The Supercute Brewhouse, located at Ground Floor Unit 1, Shakespeare Business Centre, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8RR, applied to extend its licensable activities, including the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and regulated entertainment, until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The application also sought to authorise off-sales of alcohol between 7 am and 11:30 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and between 9 am and 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. A key part of the variation was the request to extend the licensed area to include part of the external courtyard, described as 380m2 and the shared courtyard at the Shakespeare Business Centre , and to remove Condition 27 of the existing licence.

Condition 27 of the existing licence currently states: The external courtyard area is not to be used by patrons for any purpose save for access to or egress from the premises by patrons with mobility issues who need to use the disabled entrance at Shakespeare Road. This condition was originally implemented to prevent noise and disturbance to nearby residents, who considered the courtyard a quiet haven used by families, NHS patients, and for AA meetings.

An outdoor courtyard with cobblestone paving, seating, and a tree, likely representing the Supercute Brewhouse's external area.
An outdoor courtyard with cobblestone paving, seating, and a tree, likely representing the Supercute Brewhouse's external area.

The application received 16 representations from local residents, with two in support and 14 against. Objectors raised concerns about public nuisance due to noise from the courtyard, public safety risks, and the potential harm to the community's character. Supporters highlighted the venue's role in community engagement and its support for local independent businesses, emphasizing that the proposed variations are crucial for its economic survival and would protect us, it protects the local jobs, and it protects the local supply chain. They also noted the venue provides additional employment in the local area and a unique service to people in the locality as well in terms of quick convenience services that don't previously exist in that area.

During the hearing, the applicant, Hammant Patel Villa, explained that the proposed variations were crucial for the microbrewery's economic survival. He argued that the courtyard use would replace unsupervised public drinking with a managed environment and that the venue was a beacon of safety in the area. To mitigate potential noise and nuisance from the courtyard, Supercute Brewhouse has proposed several measures: no amplified music will be played externally, the courtyard will be cleared of patrons and closed by 22:00, and the area will be actively monitored by staff trained in conflict de-escalation and sensible drinking policies. They also plan to ensure environmental maintenance and responsible courtyard operations, including a conservative 20:00 curfew for patrons.

Residents, including those from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, strongly objected to the use of the courtyard. They cited specific acoustic issues, describing the courtyard as an acoustically hard space with brick walls and a cobbled floor, meaning sounds bounces and echoes noise within the space, affecting the adjacent dwellings. They noted that normal conversations... are amplified by the courtyard's hard acoustic surfaces. All noise funnels along the hard brick wall to all our gardens, causing disturbance. Evidence presented included an independent acoustic report commissioned in 2020, which indicated that noise levels could exceed recommended limits for residential areas, and photographs showing the close proximity of residential windows to the courtyard. The King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust also expressed concerns that increased noise pollution from the courtyard could disrupt their staff and patients.

Layout of Coldharbour Works properties, showing Unit G1, the courtyard, and residential properties and gardens.
Layout of Coldharbour Works properties, showing Unit G1, the courtyard, and residential properties and gardens.

Objectors also raised concerns about public safety risks, including increased traffic and congestion on narrow roads, potential risks to vulnerable residents and children due to delivery traffic, and the possibility of loitering and anti-social behaviour. These concerns were particularly highlighted in relation to other applications discussed at the meeting, such as one for an Amazon distribution hub.

After extensive deliberation, the committee decided to defer the decision for five working days. The meeting concluded with the Chair thanking all attendees for their representations. Further details on the applications and representations can be found in the Public reports pack for the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.