The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider applications for new premises licences and variations to existing licences. The meeting agenda included discussions on three specific venues: Soho Social, Piccadilly Kiosk Limited, and Greek Street Live.

Soho Social, 9 Berwick Street, W1P 0PJ

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Soho Social, located at 9 Berwick Street, London W1P 0PJ. The application was for a time-limited licence to operate as a restaurant and lounge from 1st February 2026 to 1st February 2027.

The proposed licensable activities included the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption from 10:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 22:30 on Sundays. The premises were also scheduled to be open to the public from 10:00 to 23:30 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 23:00 on Sundays.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, and several other persons and residents' associations. A key point of contention was the proposed amendment to the existing restaurant condition. The applicant sought to change the condition from requiring alcohol to be sold only to persons bona fide taking substantial table meals to one where a substantial table meal must be available at all times the venue is supplying alcohol. Objectors argued this change would effectively allow the venue to operate as a bar, contrary to the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, particularly within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). Concerns were raised about potential increases in noise, public nuisance, crime, and disorder, as well as the impact on residents' quality of life and human rights. The Soho Society also submitted an objection, highlighting the saturation of licensed premises in Soho and the potential for this application to set a precedent.

Piccadilly Kiosk Limited, 59 St Martins Lane, WC2N 4JS

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for Piccadilly Kiosk Limited, located at 59 St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4JS. The application sought to extend the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises to align with the council's core hours policy for shops, and to regularise the premises' opening hours to 24 hours a day.

The current licence authorises off-sales of alcohol from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 20:00 on Sundays. The proposed hours for alcohol sales were 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 09:00 to 22:30 on Sundays. The premises' opening hours were proposed to be 24 hours a day.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service, Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, and one other person. The Metropolitan Police initially objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, citing the premises' location within the West End CIZ and concerns about antisocial behaviour and street drinking. However, their representation was withdrawn following the agreement of an additional condition. Environmental Health also proposed conditions related to the secure storage of alcohol outside of licensable hours, waste collection times, a publicly available manager's telephone number, and restrictions on deliveries. The Licensing Authority raised concerns about the potential impact on the four licensing objectives and requested further submissions on how the premises would avoid adding to cumulative impact within the CIZ. An objector raised concerns about public nuisance, including noise from deliveries and patrons, and the impact on local residents, particularly rough sleepers.

Greek Street Live, 4 Greek Street, W1D 4DB

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for Greek Street Live, located at 4 Greek Street, London W1D 4DB. The application sought to include the basement area within the licensable activities.

The variation proposed no increase to the overall capacity of the premises, the hours for licensable activities, or the types of licensable activities. The basement was already accounted for in condition 31 of the existing licence, which specifies maximum capacities for each floor. The current licence was granted in 2020 and authorises various activities including live music, recorded music, dance, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol. The proposed change would allow licensable activities to take place in the basement in addition to the ground and first floors.

A representation was received from an interested party who objected to the variation. The objector raised concerns about the potential for increased nuisance due to the activation of the basement area, arguing that it would effectively increase the number of patrons using the venue and lead to greater noise and disturbance. They also raised concerns about patrons taking drinks outside the premises and noise from music and customer circulation, referencing existing conditions and past issues. The applicant responded to these concerns, stating that the variation would not increase capacity or hours and offered to engage in discussions. It was also noted that the Designated Premises Supervisor had given notice of their intention to cease responsibilities from 18 January 2026, with a new application for a DPS received shortly before publication.