This meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee (4) was scheduled to consider three applications for new licences and to note the changes to membership of the committee. The committee was scheduled to consider an objection from The Soho Society to the granting of a licence.

49-51 Carnaby Street, London

Shaftesbury AV Limited applied for a new premises licence for 49-51 Carnaby Street, London. The application was for a 'shadow licence', which would allow the landlord to retain the existing licence for the site even if the current licence lapses or is surrendered. The Soho Society objected to the application. In their objection they requested that the licence not take effect in the event that the existing licence is surrendered, suspended or revoked. They argued that shadow licences contribute to an oversupply of licences in Soho, which in turn has a negative impact on residents and contributes to crime in the area. They cited the council's own Cumulative Impact Assessment 2023, which found that:

It is the view of the Licensing Authority that the number of relevant authorisations in respect of premises in the West End is such that it is likely that it would be inconsistent with the authority’s duty under section 4(1) Licensing Act 2003 to grant any further relevant authorisations or variations in respect of premises in the West End.

The report pack contains a summary of the existing licence, which permits the sale of alcohol until 2am on Sunday to Wednesday, 3am on Thursday to Saturday, and midnight on Sunday. The licence also permits live music, recorded music, anything of a similar description to live music or recorded music, performance of dance, and late night refreshment until the same hours as the sale of alcohol.

80 Duke Street, London

Grosvenor West End Properties applied for a new premises licence for 80 Duke Street, London. The report pack contains details of two objections received in response to the application. One objector complained that the licence would create a lots of negative issuses in the neighbourhood like: antisocial behaviour associated with drinking alcohol, lots of loud noise, shher number of people until late at night, increasedtraffic and parking issues, loud music, drunk people outside the premises and more. The objector argued that the licence would deprive residents of their right to quiet enjoyment of the property. Another objector made similar complaints.

The application requested permission for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises from 9am to 11:30pm, Monday to Sunday. It also requested permission for the provision of late night refreshment indoors between 11pm and midnight, Monday to Sunday. The applicant explained that they were seeking to reinstate a lapsed premises licence (23/01711/LIPN) on the same terms and conditions. The report pack confirms that the premises licence holder surrendered the licence in April 2024.

15-16 Bedford Street, London

Aaj Tea House Limited applied for a new premises licence for 15-16 Bedford Street, London. The application was for permission for the sale of alcohol on the premises from midday to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.

One resident objected to the application, stating that the premises opened it was as a tea shop/patisserie. They argued that the granting of the licence would profoundly affect the business type and contribute to an increase in alcohol related businesses in the area. The objector also expressed concern about the impact of a licensed premises on residents.

The Licensing Authority initially made a representation in response to the application, expressing concern about the impact of the proposed licensable activities on the licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority requested that the applicant provide information about how the premises would promote the four Licensing Objectives:

• Public Nuisance
• Prevention of Crime & Disorder
• Public Safety
• Protection of children from harm

The report pack contains an explanation from the applicant of how the premises will operate, stating that we want to introduce certain low alcoholic drinks that will be served in certain periods of the year and that will be served with our cakes and sweet pastries.

The Metropolitan Police Service did not make a representation against the application, but agreed a set of conditions with the applicant. The conditions include restrictions on the type of alcohol that can be sold, requirements for CCTV, requirements for staff training, a requirement for the licence holder to keep a log of incidents at the premises, and a requirement to operate a Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 policy. The Licensing Authority also agreed a set of conditions with the applicant. The conditions include a restriction on the sale of alcohol off the premises and a requirement for the sale of alcohol to be ancillary to the purchase of cakes or sweet pastries.