The City of London Corporation's Licensing Committee met on 13 May 2025 to elect a chairman and deputy chairman, approve the minutes from the previous meeting, and discuss several reports. The committee agreed on a proposed fee structure for 2025/26, and delegated authority to the Executive Director Environment to approve future annual fees for gambling and sex establishment licenses, subject to providing informational reports to the committee. The committee also received updates on appeals against licensing sub-committee decisions, ongoing work streams, and delegated decisions of the Executive Director Environment pertaining to premises licences.

Election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman

The committee elected a chairman and deputy chairman for the upcoming year. The agenda stated that the elections were conducted in accordance with Standing Order Nos. 28 and 29.

Appointment of Sub-Committee Chairmen

The committee appointed four members, in addition to the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Past Grand Committee Chairmen, to chair Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee meetings for the ensuing year.

Delegated Decisions on Premises Licences

The committee received a report from the Executive Director Environment detailing premises licences and variations to premises licences granted under the Licensing Act 2003 between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025.

The report included details of new licence applications issued by delegated authority for the following premises:

• Peel Hunt at 100 Liverpool Street
• Club Lounge at 11 Floor, 40 Leadenhall Street
• Crane Court Gallery at 3 Crane Court
• Mulled Wine Stands at 23 - 25 Leadenhall Market (time limited 3 weeks)
• Quill Wine House at 70 Mark Lane
• All Good Convenience at 59 Ludgate Hill
• Amazon Fresh at 18 King William Street
• 148 Queen Victoria Street
• The Auditorium at 40 Leadenhall Street
• Vape & Tobacco Hub at 41 Queen Victoria Street
• Goodwin Procter LLP at 10 - 15 Newgate Street
• Big Mamma at 1 - 6 Lombard Street
• Sainsbury’s at 18 - 19 Eldon Street

The report also included details of licence variations issued by delegated authority for:

• Gallagher Services at 25 Walbrook, to include additional floors 2 and 9 for licensable activities.
• Horizon 22 at Floor 58, 22 Bishopsgate, to vary the permitted hours for Live & Recorded Music and the Sale of Alcohol to commence at 07:00 Monday to Sunday.
• Gordon Ramsay Lucky Cat at Floors 58 – 61, 22 Bishopsgate, to vary layout of floor 58.
• Barbican News at 54 Long Lane, to extend the permitted terminal hour for the Sale of Alcohol from 11PM to 4AM every day of the week, and to remove embedded historic restrictions on the existing licensing hours.

The report summarised enforcement action carried out under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Police, Factories (Misc Provisions) Act 1916 between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025. There were 28 pro-active inspections of licensed premises, resulting in 24 informal advisories and 3 warning letters for minor breaches. Six inspections were carried out under the Police, Factories (Misc Provisions) Act 1916, with 2 warning letters, verbal advice, and the commencement of 2 prosecution proceedings.

The report also included data on noise complaints received between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025, with details of the complaints, their locations, and outcomes.

Gambling Act 2005 Fees

The committee agreed the proposed fees structure for 2025/26. They also delegated authority to the Executive Director Environment to approve future annual fees on a full cost recovery basis, including adjustments for prior years’ under/over recovery where relevant, and subject to any statutory limits that may apply. A report will be submitted to the Licensing Committee for information to notify Members on the final fees once they are approved.

Sex Establishments Fees

The committee agreed the proposed fees structure for 2025/26. They also delegated authority to the Executive Director Environment to approve future annual fees on a full cost recovery basis, including adjustments for prior years’ under/over recovery where relevant, and subject to any statutory limits that may apply. A report will be submitted to the Licensing Committee for information to notify Members on the final fees once they are approved.

In response to a question from a Member, it was noted that there have been no applications received for sex establishments, but the fees must still be determined. A member enquired as to the frequency of the review of the sex establishment policy, officer will clarify this point and feedback to the committee.