The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council scheduled a meeting to discuss licensing applications, including one new premises licence and one variation to an existing premises licence, all within the City of Westminster. Councillor Maggie Carman, Deputy Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care, Supported and Specialist Housing, was scheduled to chair the meeting, with Councillor Iman Less, Deputy Cabinet Member - Public and Mental Health and Night Time Champion, and Councillor Karen Scarborough also in attendance. The meeting was scheduled to consider each application in light of the City of Westminster statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 the Licensing Act 2003.

Licensing Applications

Blue Note Jazz, 42-49 St Martin's Lane

A new premises licence application for Blue Note Jazz at 42-49 St Martin's Lane was scheduled for discussion. The premises is located in the St James's ward and falls within the West End Cumulative Impact Area¹. The applicant sought permission to operate as a live jazz venue, with licensable activities being ancillary to that primary function.

The report pack notes that the Licensing Authority acknowledged that licensable activities would be ancillary to the primary function as a ‘Live Jazz Venue’ and that the application must be considered under Westminster’s MD1 Policy. It also notes that because the premises is located within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone and is seeking hours outside of the Councils Core hours, additional policy points must be considered, namely HRS1 and CIP1.

The Licensing Authority stated that:

The applicant must demonstrate how they intend to manage any potential risks including where specific policies apply to the area and how the policy impacts on their application and what measures will be in place to mitigate the impact and must consider all factors which may be relevant to promote the licensing objectives.

The Licensing Authority also noted that the premises already benefits from a premises licence (24/07954/LIPN) which was granted to core hours by the Licensing Sub-Committee on the 6th February 2025.

Several representations were received regarding the application, including objections from local residents and community groups, and letters of support from jazz enthusiasts and music industry representatives.

Those objecting raised concerns regarding:

• Public nuisance due to noise and disturbance from patrons arriving at and leaving the venue, particularly late at night.
• The impact of dispersal policies on residential areas like Cecil Court and St Martin's Court.
• Potential increases in crime and anti-social behaviour.
• The suitability of the venue for the area, given its proximity to residential buildings.
• The potential use of Hop Gardens by patrons, leading to fouling, drug-taking, and increased crime.

Those in support of the application argued that:

• The venue would be a valuable addition to London's cultural landscape, bringing world-class jazz music to the West End.
• It would boost the local economy, create jobs, and attract tourists.
• The Blue Note brand has a proven track record of operating responsibly in residential areas.
• The proposed conditions and operating schedule would adequately address any potential negative impacts.

Documents submitted in support of the application included a Noise Management and Dispersal Policy, a Transport Statement, an Independent Licensing Impact Assessment, and a witness statement from the Managing Director of TSC Hospitality and Blue Note Jazz London.

The Noise Management and Dispersal Policy outlined measures to minimise noise and disturbance from the premises, including:

• Limiting noise from the premises and its equipment.
• Displaying notices requesting patrons to leave the area quietly.
• Supervising queues to prevent public nuisance.
• Encouraging customers to disperse south towards Trafalgar Square.

The Transport Statement assessed the accessibility of the site by various modes of transport and concluded that the proposed development would not have a significant impact on the local transport network.

The Independent Licensing Impact Assessment concluded that the venue would not have a concerning impact on any of the licensing objectives or add to cumulative impact in the area, and may even have a small positive impact on public safety.

The witness statement from the Managing Director of TSC Hospitality and Blue Note Jazz London provided further information about the proposed operation of the venue, including its programming, security measures, and commitment to working with the local community.

Three Sheets Soho, 13 Manette Street

A variation to the premises licence for Three Sheets Soho at 13 Manette Street was scheduled for discussion. The premises is located in the West End ward and falls within the West End Cumulative Impact Area. The applicant sought to vary the plan and amend condition 26 (MC66 only operate as a restaurant condition) to a new condition to permit 10 people prior to 21:00 to consume alcohol without a table meal. They also sought to replace condition 13 in respect of off sales with condition MC70 and add an unspecified number of new tables and chairs on the highway.

The report pack notes that the Licensing Authority acknowledged that the premises intend to trade as a restaurant with the proposed trading hours falling within Westminster’s core hours.

The Licensing Authority stated that because the premises are located within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone, the application must be determined in accordance with Policies RNT1, HRS1 and CIP1.

The Soho Society submitted a representation objecting to the application on the grounds that:

• The proposal to vary the plan and amend condition 26 (MC66 only operate as a restaurant condition) to a new condition to permit 10 people prior to 21:00 to consume alcohol without a table meal, will create a new bar within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone.
• The proposal to replace condition 13 in respect of off sales with condition MC70 and add an unspecified number of new tables and chairs on the highway, will result in a further increase in capacity.
• The Cumulative Impact Assessment 2023 provides the evidence that increasing the number of licensed premises or the extension of current licences in the West End increases crime and disorder.
• The position of this restaurant is significant it is in an area with the highest concentration of licensed premises in Soho.
• Residents living in Soho are subjected to noise disturbance, they are disturbed by the night time activity as people walk by either shouting, screaming or arguing, noise from queues of people waiting to enter premises, noise from pedicabs, car doors slamming, horns honking.
• They are subjected to anti-social behaviour with people vomiting, urinating and defecating in the street and in their doorways.
• Their experience of late night noise is confirmed by the initial results of Westminster City Council’s Soho noise study, the October 2024 results highlights how the community is consistently exposed to high levels of noise during both the day and night-time periods.
• The CIA also highlights the high crime rate in the area.

The Soho Society stated that the application for a bar and outdoor tables and chairs will fail to promote the licensing objectives and increase cumulative impact, and requested that the application be refused.

Tigermilk, Ground Floor and Basement, 127-133 Charing Cross Road

A new premises licence application for Tigermilk at Ground Floor and Basement, 127-133 Charing Cross Road was scheduled for discussion. The premises is located in the West End ward.

The report pack notes that the premises intend to trade as a restaurant with the proposed trading hours falling within Westminster’s core hours.

The Licensing Authority stated that because the premises are located within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone, the application must be determined in accordance with Policies RNT1, HRS1 and CIP1.