The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider two licensing applications. The committee was also due to review the premises licence for one of the establishments.

Licensing Applications for Determination

The committee was scheduled to consider applications for new premises licences for two establishments:

• Ku Kushi, located at 39 Great Windmill Street, London, W1D 7LX. The application was for a new premises licence for a restaurant that would serve Yakitori cuisine. The applicant, Dpm Gordon Company Limited, sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshment. The agenda detailed proposed hours for these activities, including variations for Sundays preceding bank holidays. The application included numerous proposed conditions aimed at ensuring the premises operated as a restaurant and did not contribute to cumulative impact within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police, Environmental Health Service, the Licensing Authority, and interested parties including The Soho Society. The Metropolitan Police initially made representations but withdrew them after the applicant agreed to remove a condition that would have allowed alcohol consumption prior to a meal in a bar area, ensuring the premises would operate solely as a restaurant. Environmental Health raised concerns regarding the potential for public nuisance and impact on public safety within the Cumulative Impact Zone, and requested further information on kitchen extract ventilation, sanitary accommodation, and noise insulation. The Licensing Authority also expressed concerns regarding the promotion of the four licensing objectives, particularly in relation to the premises' location within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The Soho Society objected to the application, citing the premises' location within the Cumulative Impact Zone. A nearby resident also objected, raising concerns about noise transfer through party walls.

• Al Balad, located at 11 Edgware Road, London, W2 2ER. This item concerned a review of the premises licence for Al Balad, initiated by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team. The grounds for the review were that the licence holder had allegedly failed to meet the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder, due to the identification of illegal working at the premises. The application detailed multiple enforcement visits to Al Balad and a linked premises, Al Balad 2, which resulted in civil penalties for the licence holder, Donise Limited. The agenda outlined the premises' existing licence for playing recorded music, private entertainment, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol. Representations in support of the review were received from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, and Environmental Health. Two representations from interested parties were received objecting to the review. The agenda also detailed the potential powers of the Licensing Sub-Committee in determining a review, which included modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence, or revoking the licence.

The agenda also included standard items such as noting any changes to membership and receiving declarations of interest.