However, other nearby residents and hall users have stated that noise levels appear to be “kept under control”, patrons leave at night with “minimal disruption” and the venue brings “life back into the neighbourhood” and provides a visible benefit to the local economy.
Greenwich Council’s Licensing Review Sub-Committee will meet on December 8 after Cllr Pat Slattery applied to have The Borough Hall’s licence reviewed. Cllr Slattery made the application on behalf of nearby residents—many of whom live in Peyton Place—with key concerns being noise and disturbance caused by patrons after and during late-night events, loud music coming from the hall and the loading and unloading of equipment taking place in the early hours of the morning.
Eden Group Operations Limited, the current licence holder, was granted its premises licence on January 3 when the hall on Royal Hill re-opened as a multi-use events venue. The 1930s hall that was originally part of the former Greenwich Town Hall complex had been vacant since its former tenant the Greenwich Dance Agency left in 2018.
The hall is currently permitted to serve alcohol, play music and stage performances until 11pm Sundays to Fridays and until 12.30am the following morning on Saturdays. Cllr Slattery wants this to be reduced to 9pm, with the exception of two Saturdays per month where activities may continue until 11pm.
She also wants The Borough Hall’s licence to be suspended for three months, more strict noise limits put in place, restrictions put on loading/unloading times, parking marshals employed during dispersal times and more.
Within her application, Cllr Slattery said: “It is important to state that residents do not object to the premises in principle. The quieter, daytime activities such as the dance school and community coffee mornings are welcomed as a positive contribution to the local area.
“The issues detailed in this application are specifically linked to the management and operation of the evening and late-night events. The significant distress these issues are causing the community is evidenced by the high attendance (30+ residents) at two separate licensing mediation meetings. A number of residents have stated that the ongoing problems are compromising their well-being and mental health.”
The meetings she referred to took place on May 30 and September 10. At the first, residents said that broken windows facing Peyton Place compromised the venue’s sound insulation and they had experienced “intimidating” behaviour from large groups dispersing late at night.
At the second meeting, the venue’s management gave an update on an action plan that was agreed three months earlier in response to the complaints. Double glazing had been installed to ten windows, acoustic treatment had been applied within the hall and an acoustic consultant had been appointed to monitor noise levels.
The hall had also introduced a new exit strategy and employed parking marshals to help with dispersal. Residents had asked the venue to host events less frequently, but Eden Group said this would not be financially viable. Despite this update, residents felt these measures “had not effectively resolved the nuisance” and continued to complain of noise and parking problems.
13 residents have made representations supporting the premises licence review. They say music emanating from the venue is clearly audible within their homes, patrons often cause traffic issues on Peyton Place and call post-event dispersal “chaotic”, stating large groups often congregate outside the hall until 2am.
Despite these complaints, many have also come to the aid of The Borough Hall with Greenwich Council receiving 24 representations in support of the venue. These include submissions from residents, parents of children attending dance classes, and attendees of community events.
Contrary to those in support of the review, several residents writing in support of the premises state that they have “never witnessed any trouble” or “antisocial behaviour” associated with the hall. Supporters also said that noise levels appear to be “kept under control” and that guests are managed responsibly.
Parents with children who attend dance classes at the hall have called it “secure” and “well supervised” and highlighted the management’s commitment to safety and safeguarding. Venue supporters argue that the venue brings “life back into the neighbourhood” and provides a visible benefit to the local economy.
Some representations suggest that parking issues are a “borough-wide issue” and not solely attributable to the venue, cautioning that alternative uses (such as residential redevelopment) might not offer the same community benefits as the events space.
