The Licensing Sub-Committee (2), consisting of Councillor Maggie Carman (Deputy Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care, Supported and Specialist Housing), Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury (Deputy Cabinet Member - Streets and Lead Member - Edgware Road Champion), and Councillor Paul Swaddle OBE (Leader of the Opposition), will convene to consider licensing matters. The main item on the agenda is a review of the premises licence for Fei Er Cottage at 37 Strutton Ground, as well as a pending application for a transfer of the premises licence. The meeting will also address standard items such as membership and declarations of interest.

Review of Fei Er Cottage Premises Licence

The sub-committee will consider an application by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement for a review of the premises licence for Fei Er Cottage, a convenience store and off licence at 37 Strutton Ground, London, SW1P 2HY.

The application for review was submitted on 3 March 2025, on the grounds that the licence holder has failed to meet the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, as illegal working has been identified at this premises.

According to the report pack, on 18 December 2024, Immigration Officers visited the premises and encountered 8 individuals and made 4 arrests.

The report pack includes summaries of interviews with people who were arrested, including one person who said:

I just went into the kitchen and asked for food the chef told me to cut some veggies and he would give me some rice.

Another person admitted to working at the premises as a waiter for the last 6 months, and showed officers a WhatsApp chat with his boss, which confirmed that he is working way over his hours.

The report pack states that a condition of the premises licence requires the premises to maintain a CCTV system, but that a staff member wasn’t aware if the CCTV was even functional.

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement requests that the sub-committee revoke the premises licence.

The sub-committee is reminded of its duty to consider 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.

Fei Er Cottage Premises Licence Transfer

The sub-committee will also consider a pending application for a transfer of the premises licence for Fei Er Cottage. The report pack notes that the Metropolitan Police have objected to this transfer.

Standard Items

The committee will begin by reporting any changes to its membership. It will also ask members and officers to declare any interests in the items on the agenda.