Wandsworth's Licensing Sub-Committee is considering a contentious application from Sweet Tooth Cafe, located at 275 Upper Richmond Road, as residents voice strong objections to the cafe's request for extended hours. The cafe, which currently operates from 07:00 to 23:30 Sunday through Thursday, and 07:00 to 01:30 Friday and Saturday, seeks permission to sell alcohol and provide late-night refreshments, sparking concerns over potential noise and disturbances in the residential area.
The application by Aleksandar34 Limited requests permission to sell alcohol from 11:00 to 23:00 Sunday through Thursday, and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, they are seeking to provide late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 23:30 Sunday to Thursday, and until 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Resident Concerns
According to the Public Reports Pack, 20 representations were made by local residents objecting to the application, citing public nuisance and crime and disorder as primary concerns. Their objections include:
- Late-night street drinking
- Noise disturbance from customers
- Loud music
- Anti-social behaviour
- Increased incidents of crime
One letter of objection from Alastair Graham, freeholder of the premises next door, raised concerns about a repeated history of violations, disregard for council rules, and threatening conduct. Graham's letter alleges that the Sweet Tooth Cafe has been operating as a late-night bar without a license, with patrons and employees drinking outside until after midnight. He also claims a repeated, ongoing pattern of disregard for the Council's rules and respect to the neighbourhood.
Furthermore, Graham cited an instance of threatening conduct, where the lessee received a text message from the owner stating: Thank you for complaining regarding my license!!! Good luck with your family in future.
Another letter from Rob Newby-Walker, a Senior Environmental Services Officer, objected to the application on the grounds of public nuisance, noting that recent complaints had been made to the Noise Team. An officer witnessed noise coming from the premises affecting a resident living directly above. The officer reported that conversation noise from approximately a dozen people within the premises was intrusive in the resident's bedroom and considered a nuisance, potentially impacting sleep.
Conditions and Petition
If the licence is granted, it would be subject to mandatory conditions laid down in the Licensing Act 2003, as well as conditions arising from the applicant's operating schedule, including:
- Maintaining a CCTV system
- Keeping an incident log
- No vertical drinking, table service only
- Displaying notices asking customers to leave quietly
- Maintaining a refusal book
- Staff training
- Operating a Challenge 25 policy
The applicant also submitted a petition in support of the application.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, with regard to the promotion of the licensing objectives and the council's statement of licensing policy. The decision will take into account representations made by residents, the applicant, and responsible authorities.
The Public Reports Pack notes that the sub-committee was scheduled to consider the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, with regard to the promotion of the licensing objectives and the council's statement of licensing policy. The relevant sections of the council's statement of licensing policy included licensing hours, mandatory conditions, public nuisance and protection of children from harm. The application aligns with the Wandsworth Council Licensing Hours policy for a premises of this type, which states: For premises selling or supplying alcohol by retail for consumption on, or on and off, the premises, (whether or not they also provide food or regulated entertainment), for premises providing regulated entertainment only and for qualifying clubs: 10.00 hours to 00.00 hours (12 midnight) Sunday to Thursday, 10.00 hours to 02.00 hours Friday and Saturday.
