White Sands, the venue on Brixton Hill formerly known as South Beach Bar (and before that as the camping shop), is up before the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee next week on 17 December.

The venue’s owner, Mr Khan, has already refurbished the premises and has applied for the ability to serve alcohol each night until 11pm and show films, plays, dance and sport and have live music each night until midnight, as a space for functions and events.

The hearing is being held because of objections to the application by the police and local residents. The former South Beach Bar had a reputation for anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and criminality and was eventually closed after a serious incident. Residents and the police are understandably concerned that this does not repeat itself. The owners have already agreed to a series of conditions by the Council’s noise team but councillors will want to see that the Sub-committee consider whether this location is appropriate for such a venue at all, and how the owners intend to address the serious concerns residents have.

The meeting will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 17 December in Room 8 of the Town Hall. The background papers for the meeting can be seen online.