The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to determine two licensing applications. The committee granted a new premises licence for Circle Cafe, allowing it to serve late-night refreshment until 2 am, and noted that an application to vary the licence for Barburrito had been granted under delegated authority prior to the meeting.

Circle Cafe Premises Licence Application

The committee granted a new premises licence for Circle Cafe, located at 43 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2TA, allowing for late-night refreshment indoors from Monday to Saturday between 11 pm and 2 am, and for the premises to be open to the public during these hours. The premises will also be open on Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm.

The application had received representations from the Environmental Health Service (EHS) and the Licensing Authority. The EHS raised concerns that the proposed hours for late-night refreshment could lead to an increase in public nuisance and impact public safety, particularly due to the premises' location. The Licensing Authority also flagged previous breaches of licence conditions by the premises.

During the hearing, the applicant's representative, Noel Samaroo, along with applicants Armin Al Sheikh and Amar Al Sally, highlighted that the premises would operate as a food-led café with no sale of alcohol or regulated entertainment. They stated that the premises had operated under Temporary Event Notices (TENs) until 2 am without complaint and that agreed conditions with the EHS would address any potential issues.

Councillor Jim Glen, the Ward Councillor for Pimlico North, spoke in support of the EHS representation. He expressed concerns about the late operating hours, citing the proximity of sheltered accommodation for vulnerable elderly residents and the potential for public nuisance. He also noted that promotional material described the premises as a shisha lounge, although the applicant had agreed to a condition prohibiting shisha use.

The committee noted that the Metropolitan Police Service had not made a representation against the application, and crucially, there were no objections from local residents. While acknowledging the EHS's concerns regarding the terminal hours and the sensitive location, the committee was satisfied that the nature of the operation, coupled with the agreed conditions, would promote the licensing objectives. These conditions include CCTV, an incident log, noise control measures, waste management, and the prohibition of shisha. The committee also noted that the premises is not located in a Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) or Special Consideration Zone (SCZ).

Barburrito Premises Licence Variation

The committee noted that the application to vary the premises licence for Barburrito, located at Unit 18, The Lawn, Paddington Station, Praed Street, London, W2 1RL, had been granted under delegated authority before the hearing. This means the decision was made by council officers rather than the sub-committee itself, based on agreed conditions.

The variation sought to permit the sale of alcohol off the premises, remove several existing conditions related to alcohol sales, allow for ordering kiosks, and amend the hours for late-night refreshment and the sale of alcohol.

During the consultation period, representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, Environmental Health Service (EHS), and several resident associations, including the South East Bayswater Residents Association (SEBRA), the Hyde Park Estate Association (HPEA), and the Paddington Waterways & Maida Vale Society (PWMVS).

The Metropolitan Police initially objected but withdrew their representation after conditions were agreed. The EHS also withdrew their representation after agreeing on reduced hours for the sale of alcohol and other conditions. However, the resident associations maintained their objections, primarily concerning potential nuisance and crime and disorder, particularly regarding the extended hours for alcohol sales and off-sales.

Ultimately, the application was granted under delegated authority, indicating that an agreement was reached on conditions that satisfied the concerns raised, allowing for the requested variations to the licence.