The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee met to discuss an application from the Cadogan Pub Limited for a variation of their premises licence for The Cadogan Arms, 298 King's Road, SW3 5UG. The applicant requested permission to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol, but not for regulated entertainment or late-night refreshment. The application attracted objections from both the police and the council's Noise and Nuisance team, though the latter was later withdrawn after the applicant agreed to certain conditions.

Cadogan Arms Licence Variation Application

The committee heard an application from The Cadogan Pub Limited, the premises licence holder for The Cadogan Arms, to vary their existing licence. The report before the committee outlined that the applicant sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol, both on and off the premises, until midnight on Sundays and Tuesdays, and until 1am on Wednesdays to Saturdays. The application stated that the existing conditions of the premises licence promote the four licensing objectives¹ and would continue to do so if the requested hours were granted.

Luke Alford, legal advisor for the Cadogan Pub Limited, told the committee that the JKS Group, which includes the Cadogan Pub Limited, took on The Cadogan Arms in 2021 when it had been closed for over five years. He said that the group includes a significant number of award-winning businesses, and that Mr Jacobs is also a director of the local business improvement district², which works to improve matters in and around the King's Road area. He argued that the venue was exceptional and that the police's objection was not particularly helpful in the committee's decision-making.

PC Ian Davis of the Metropolitan Police, said that the police's objection was based on the prevention aspect of the potential for crime, disorder, and public nuisance in relation to extending hours beyond midnight. He suggested a time-limited extension for 12 months, with all licensable activity ceasing by 00:30, and closure to the public at 01:00.

The committee then discussed a series of draft conditions, including:

• Additional wording relating to noise and nuisance, as agreed with the Environmental Health Noise & Nuisance Team.
• The employment of Security Industry Authority (SIA) security officers³. PC Davis requested a minimum of two SIA security officers, while the applicant suggested a risk-assessed approach.
• Admittance and readmittance to the premises after midnight, with an exception for smokers.
• Outside drinking after 23:00.
• Meetings with residents to discuss the operation of the premises.
• Staff training in legal requirements and restrictions to sell alcohol.
• The provision of a substantial meal to be made available to patrons during licensable activities.

The applicant's representatives expressed concerns about several of the proposed conditions, arguing that they were unnecessary and disproportionate, and that they would create additional bureaucracy without evidence of existing problems.

Councillor Dori Schmetterling asked PC Davis why he felt that opening longer could be a major problem, given that there had not been many complaints about the venue. PC Davis said that it was a case of prevention, and the potential with a lot of people turning up.

Councillor Toby Benton asked PC Davis what there was to suggest that an extra hour of alcohol sales would result in more crime. PC Davis said that the aspect is the retention of drinking in a specific location, and the vulnerability aspects in relation to females and excessive alcohol consumption onto a main road.

The committee concluded the hearing and retired to make their decision in private session, with a summary determination to be sent to the parties within five working days.