The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council is scheduled to convene to consider three licensing applications. These include a premises licence variation for the Three Crowns Public House, a new premises licence for Cafe Coupette, and a transfer of premises licence for Strand News. The meeting will take place at Westminster City Hall.

Three Crowns Public House, 19 Babmaes Street, London, SW1Y 6HD

The committee is scheduled to consider an application for a variation of the premises licence for the Three Crowns Public House. Spirit Pub Company (Services) Limited has applied to vary the hours for the sale of alcohol, late night refreshment, and opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 01:00. The application also includes an amendment to Annex 3 Condition 11 to reflect these changes.

Currently, the Three Crowns Public House has permission to:

• Serve late night refreshments indoors and outdoors until 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Provide live music indoors until 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Play recorded music without restriction.
• Sell alcohol on and off the premises until 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Open until 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report pack notes that the Metropolitan Police initially objected to the application, but withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to further conditions.

However, representations have been received from other persons, raising concerns about public nuisance. One representation stated:

I strongly object to an extension of the pub's hours to 1 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Babmaes Street. The off-premises drinking causes substantial noise at is night. Frequently patrons stand in Jermyn Street or Eagle passage, of

This definitely disturbs sleep and makes getting to sleep difficult, not only up to closing time, but for sometime after, in the case of the variant times, up to and after 1 am.

This is simply unacceptable for an area with

The report pack indicates that the following City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy apply to the application: SCZ1, PB1 and HRS1.

In response to concerns, the applicant, represented by Ewen Macgregor, Partner For TLT LLP, has offered additional conditions, including employing door security, providing a direct telephone line for the manager, implementing a dispersal policy, and displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents.

Cafe Coupette, 79 Strand, London, WC2R 0DE

The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to review a new premises licence application for Cafe Coupette, submitted by Stem Hospitality Limited. The applicant describes the premises as a Parisian style cafe, cocktail bar and bistro.

The applicant is seeking permission to:

• Serve late night refreshment indoors from 23:00 to 23:30 Monday to Thursday, and from 23:00 to 00:00 Friday and Saturday.
• Sell alcohol on and off the premises from 11:00 to 23:30 Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 to 00:00 Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 to 22:30 on Sundays.
• Play recorded music indoors from 11:00 to 23:30 Monday to Thursday, from 11:00 to 00:00 Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 to 22:30 on Sundays.
• Open from 08:00 to 00:00 Monday to Thursday, from 08:00 to 00:30 Friday and Saturday, and from 08:00 to 23:00 on Sundays.

Environmental Health Services has raised concerns that the proposal may undermine the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective. Representations have also been received from other persons, objecting to the application on the grounds that the premises are within the West End Zone 2 of the Cumulative Impact Assessment area¹, which is already a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder.

The report pack indicates that the following City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy apply to the application: SCZ1, PB1 and HRS1.

Strand News, 145 Strand, London, WC2R 1JA

The committee is scheduled to consider an application to transfer the premises licence for Strand News from Kamlesh Patel and Romil Patel to Mr Dinesh Chhaganbhai Patel.

The Metropolitan Police Service has objected to the application, stating that they believe that if granted, the application would undermine the licensing objectives. PC Steve Muldoon, Metropolitan Police Service, stated that the police were aware of offences dealt with by the immigration services relating to persons employed by the current licence holder.

The Home Office has also objected to the application, stating:

Immigration Enforcement formally objects to the transfer of the premises licence for Strand News, located at 145 Strand, London, WC2R 1JA. This objection is based on several serious concerns regarding the management and operation of the premises...

Given the above points, it is evident that the premises have been operating in a manner that is not compliant with legal and licensing requirements. The repeated instances of illegal employment, absence of proper management, and non- compliance with regulations raise significant concerns about the suitability of the premises to hold a licence.

The report pack indicates that Policy Appendix 2 - Licensing Authority Functions and Duties applies to the application.