Helm Studios in Deptford is a mixed-use creative venue that has applied for a premises licence to sell alcohol between midday and 11pm daily
A café and event space in Deptford wants to sell alcohol, but residents living above the venue fear this would transform it into a “nightclub”. Helm Studios at 3 Borthwick Street advertises itself as a “creative hub”. The Deptford mixed-use creative venue contains co-working space, music and artistic studios and a café and event space.
Helm has applied to Greenwich Council for a premises licence that would allow it to sell alcohol to customers between midday and 11pm daily. The council’s Licensing Sub-Committee C will consider the application on May 28 (Thursday).
Although Helm has not previously been licensed, it has successfully applied for multiple Temporary Event Notices (TENs) since September last year when it opened. TENs allow venues to host one-off events involving licensable activities, such as selling booze, without having a full premises licence.
Greenwich Council did receive noise complaints in relation to some of these events. Residents living nearby complained that loud music was playing until 4am on New Year’s Eve, and there was also a report of loud music disturbing residents on March 20 at an unlicensed event. Greenwich Council did issue a formal warning following this.
Helm Studios is part of a complex which contains residential accommodation. Helm’s premises licence application has only received one official objection from a resident who lives above the venue in Borthwick Street.
Joseph Hall has lived in his flat for 11 years and with his wife for five, and said in his objection letter that he understood when he bought the property that he would be living above a co-working space. However, he described Helm Studios as a “very different beast” to what he expected.
Mr Hall said: “Since Helm Studios moved into the space in September last year they have held many events, and when there is music at those events, whether live or recorded, we can hear it clearly in our flat.
“This has negatively affected our lives and mental health as we cannot enjoy general life such as having a meal or watching TV in our flat without the interruption of loud music. When events are held at night it also prevents us from being able to sleep due to being able to hear the music.”
Mr Hall also claimed that the music had been so loud at certain TEN events that he could make out the lyrics to specific songs as late as 2am.
Mr Hall feared that if Helm Studios was granted a full premises licence, such late night events would be held every weekend. He said: “If we had wanted to live above a business that is effectively operating as a live music venue and nightclub, we would have bought a flat on a high street where such noise is expected.”
Mr Hall did confirm that he and his wife had moved out of the property last month to work abroad and are letting it out to tenants, but that they intended to move back into the flat in the future.
Police raised no objection to the application after Helm agreed to install a CCTV system on the premises and train their staff in how to use it. No other responsible authorities—such as Greenwich’s own licensing or planning teams—objected to the application.
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