Agenda, decisions and minutes

Silks, 177-181 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4BD

Lewisham LBC, Licensing Committee

Application for summary review ­– interim steps decision

DECISION NOTICE

1.    The Metropolitan Police (“the Police”) have submitted an application for a summary review of the premises licence for Silks, 177-181 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4BD (“the Premises”) on the grounds that it is associated with serious crime or serious disorder or both. 

2.    The premises licence is held by Walk Safe Security Services Ltd (“the PLH”).  The Designated Premises Supervisor (“DPS”) is Sharna Johnson.

3.    The Licensing Sub-Committee held a remote hearing using Microsoft Teams on 7 November 2022 to consider whether it is necessary to take interim steps pending the determination of the summary review.

4.    Neither the Police nor the PLH took part in today’s hearing.  The Sub-Committee took into account the written application for summary review and a letter received from the DPS shortly before the hearing began.

5.    The Sub-Committee’s decision is to suspend the licence.  Its reasons are as follows:

·         The Licensing Committee revoked the premises licence for the Premises as recently as 27 October 2022, in light of a number of serious incidents associated with the premises, including several shocking episodes of violent assaults. 

·         The Licensing Committee’s decision has yet to take effect because there is still time to lodge an appeal against it and therefore the Premises has continued to trade.

·         There was an incident of serious disorder outside the Premises at 04.19 on 30 October 2022.   According to the application, Council CCTV operators observed a fight taking place involving a group of customers who had just left the Premises.  The fight escalated with a number of other people joining the melee and other fights breaking out.  A number of people were attacked while on the ground, with at least one person having been knocked unconscious (or at least seriously injured) on the highway.

6.    On the basis of the description given by the Police, this recent incident is very troubling and is strongly reminiscent of the concerns of the Licensing Committee which led to revocation of the licence less than two weeks ago.  It suggests that, whatever changes the PLH might have put in place since the licence was revoked, they are not working to promote the crime and disorder licensing objective.  Therefore the Sub-Committee is satisfied that it is necessary to suspend the licence immediately until the summary review is determined.

7.    This decision takes effect immediately and therefore the Premises is required to close.  The PLH is entitled to make representations against this interim step.  If representations are received, the Council will hold a hearing to consider those representations and whether suspension (or any other interim step) is appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

Members were advised that the Designated Premises Supervisor, had submitted a letter to be circulated to all members of the Committee. Just as the meeting commenced, this letter was withdrawn with an undertaking that another letter would be sent within 10 minutes. Mr Lewin advised that the meeting could commence; when the letter was received it could be submitted to the full hearing.

At 1.10pm the meeting was suspended because Councillor Brown lost internet connection. He re-joined at 1.12pm and the meeting re-convened.

RESOLVED that the premises licence for Silks 177 – 181 Rushey Green Catford SE6 4BD be suspended until a final hearing of the application for summary review.