Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the Licensing Sub-Committee (2) meeting on Monday 16 June 2025. The main item for consideration is a review of the premises licence for the Frankfort Arms following an application by the Metropolitan Police Service. The sub-committee will also review interim steps that were previously taken, and consider whether they should remain in place.

Frankfort Arms Licence Review

The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider a full review of the premises licence for the Frankfort Arms, 518 Harrow Road following an application made by the Metropolitan Police Service on 20 May 2025.

The review was initiated under Section 53A(1) of the Licensing Act 2003, as the police consider the premises to be associated with serious crime and disorder. According to the report pack, the Metropolitan Police Service:

believe that the premises have failed to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective. It is also believed that the premises will continue to fail to promote the licensing objectives going forward.

The report pack states that on 22 May 2025, a Licensing Sub-Committee decided to take interim steps, including suspending the licence with immediate effect, removing the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), and removing the sale of alcohol from the scope of the licence.

The Licensing Sub-Committee is now required to review the interim steps taken and consider whether they should remain in place, be modified, or be withdrawn. They must also determine the full review of the premises licence.

Incident Summary

According to the report pack, the review application was prompted by an incident on 17 May 2025, when police were called to the premises following reports of a disturbance. Officers were allegedly misled by the manager, who downplayed the seriousness of the incident. It was later discovered that a male had self-presented at St Mary's Hospital with a stab wound to the thigh, and was linked to the earlier incident at the Frankfort Arms.

Police licensing officers reviewed CCTV footage and found that the incident was more serious than initially reported, and that alcohol was being sold after the premises' terminal hour of 00:00. The report pack also claims that the management failed to ensure that:

(a) The police (and, where appropriate, the London Ambulance Service) are called without delay; (b) All measures that are reasonably practicable are taken to apprehend any suspects pending the arrival of the police; (c) The crime scene is preserved so as to enable a full forensic investigation to be carried out by the police; and (d) Such other measures are taken (as appropriate) to fully protect the safety of all persons present on the premises.

The report pack also notes that there have been four other violence-related offences at the premises in the three months leading up to the incident.

Representations

The council has received representations in support of the review from the Environmental Health Service and the Licensing Authority, as well as 12 representations from interested parties. The Licensing Service has also received three representations from interested parties supporting the premises.

Options Available to the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Sub-Committee can take the following steps:

• Modify the conditions of the premises licence.
• Exclude the sale of alcohol from the scope of the licence.
• Remove the designated premises supervisor.
• Suspend the licence for up to three months.
• Revoke the licence.

The City of Westminster statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and any guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 will be considered. The most recent version of the guidance was published in December 2023.

Other Items

The committee will also discuss membership changes and declarations of interest.