House of Flavourz retains licence with new conditions after Forest Hill review

House of Flavourz, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant on Perry Vale in Forest Hill, will continue operating after Lewisham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee reviewed its licence on 23 July 2026. The committee decided against revoking the licence or reducing its hours, instead imposing additional conditions to address noise and disorder complaints.

The review followed multiple complaints in May 2026. Residents reported noise, anti-social behaviour, and disorderly conduct linked to the venue. Licensing officers visited complainants’ homes more than 10 times but did not witness any nuisance originating from the restaurant, as reported by MyLondon.

Manager apologises for two incidents

The restaurant’s manager addressed the committee during the review. She apologised for two incidents, explaining that one involved a domestic dispute within a large family booking. Staff called the police and attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to MyLondon’s report.

The second incident occurred on 24 May 2026, when a live DJ performed at the venue. The manager admitted the decision to allow a standalone speaker was poor judgement. She said the restaurant did not anticipate how loud the music would be.

The manager also responded to allegations of illegal parking and cannabis use near the premises. She stated the restaurant enforces a zero-drug policy inside but cannot control actions in public areas. Perry Vale experiences heavy foot traffic from the train station, local pubs, and other businesses, she noted.

Residents divided over impact

The committee received 28 messages supporting the restaurant and 21 objecting to it. One resident, who lives near the venue, told the committee they could hear noise from the restaurant over their television, regardless of whether windows were open or closed. They described the atmosphere outside as hostile on some occasions, as reported by MyLondon.

Another resident, who has lived in the area for 30 years, argued that many complaints related to wider issues in Forest Hill. They said parking, litter, and cannabis use were not clearly linked to the restaurant. A local alcohol supplier praised House of Flavourz for bringing new life to the neighbourhood.

New conditions imposed

The Licensing Sub-Committee imposed conditions proposed by the Metropolitan Police and added three more. The restaurant must now produce a written event management plan and a dispersal policy. It must also refuse re-entry to anyone who leaves the premises to smoke cannabis.

Police conditions include maintaining an incident log on site, staff training, CCTV coverage, age verification checks, and measures to prevent public nuisance and crime. The restaurant must also ensure door supervision is in place during events.

Cllr Leni Candan, Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee, clarified that issues such as drug use and parking fell outside the committee’s remit. The focus remained on licensing matters, including noise and disorder linked to the venue.

What happens next

House of Flavourz must submit its event management plan and dispersal policy to Lewisham Council within 28 days. The council will review the documents to ensure they meet the new conditions. Residents can contact the council’s licensing team if they have further concerns about the venue’s compliance.