The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026 to consider three licensing applications. The committee granted a variation to the premises licence for Lockhouse, approved a new premises licence for The Prince Regent, and granted a new premises licence for NQ64 Arcade Bar.

Lockhouse, 3 Merchant Square, London, W2 1AZ

The committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for Lockhouse, a public house located at 3 Merchant Square, London, W2 1AZ. The application sought to amend the layout, alter existing conditions, and add new conditions relating to the use of the external area.

Representations were received from the Environmental Health Service (EHS), six residents, the Hyde Park Estate Association (HPEA), and the South East Bayswater Residents' Association (SEBRA). Concerns were raised about potential increases in public nuisance and public safety, particularly due to the premises' location in a residential area with flats directly above. Residents also expressed concerns about previous non-compliance with licence conditions and the proposed increase in customer numbers and the introduction of vertical drinking.

The applicant, Young & Co.'s Brewery PLC, argued that the proposed changes were necessary for commercial viability and to address practical management difficulties with the current conditions. They proposed retaining seating, limiting standing drinking to specific times and areas, and enhancing monitoring.

After considering all representations and submissions, the committee decided to grant the application in part. The variation to the premises layout was permitted, and condition 11 was amended. Conditions 46 and 47 were deleted, and new conditions were added. Crucially, the maximum number of customers allowed to consume alcohol in the external area was limited to 30, with only 15 permitted to stand. Any consumption of alcohol after 8:30 pm would require customers to be seated. Additional conditions were imposed regarding SIA door staff on Thursdays, litter management, a direct contact number for the manager, and a designated member of staff to monitor the external area on Wednesdays and Fridays. The committee emphasised the importance of compliance with licence conditions and encouraged ongoing dialogue between the applicant and residents.

The Prince Regent, 17 Sheldon Square, London, W2 6EP

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for The Prince Regent, a moored boat at 17 Sheldon Square, London, W2 6EP, operating as a seafood restaurant. The applicant, Seagarden Boat Ltd, sought to serve alcohol for consumption on the premises.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Environmental Health Service (EHS), Planning Department, HPEA, and Paddington Waterways Maida Vale Society (PWMVS). The MPS representation was withdrawn after conditions were agreed. EHS raised concerns about potential public nuisance and safety, while the Planning Department noted that the boat's previous planning permission had lapsed. Residents' associations proposed conditions similar to those of neighbouring premises.

The applicant, Mr Nunuo Migel Ferreral, explained that the venue would operate primarily as a restaurant with approximately 35 covers, focusing on food with a wine offering. He confirmed that there would be no vertical drinking and that all customers would be seated. He had agreed to proposed conditions with responsible authorities and residents' associations.

After considering all representations and submissions, the committee granted the application subject to amended and agreed conditions. The licence permits the sale of alcohol (on sales) from 11:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday, with the premises open to the public from 09:00 to 23:00 daily. A comprehensive set of conditions were added, covering staff training, CCTV, availability of food and non-intoxicating beverages, age verification, waste management, noise control, and a Challenge 25 policy. The premises will operate solely as a restaurant with waiter/waitress service for alcohol.

NQ64 Arcade Bar, 5 Goslett Yard, London, WC2H 0ER

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for NQ64 Arcade Bar at 5 Goslett Yard, London, WC2H 0ER. The applicant, NQ64 Soho 2 Ltd, proposed to combine two existing licences into a single operation covering the ground floor and basement, operating as a retro arcade and gaming bar. The application sought like-for-like hours and capacity, with some outdated conditions removed.

Representations were received from Environmental Health Services (EHS) and the Soho Society. EHS raised concerns about potential public nuisance and safety, suggesting an ancillary-use condition. The Soho Society also proposed an ancillary-use condition to ensure the premises remained primarily a retro gaming and arcade bar. A resident also objected to the proposed 6 am terminal hour, citing previous issues with noise and disorder from the former nightclub operations at the site.

The applicant's representatives, Mr Jack Spiegler (Solicitor) and Mr Andy Haygarth, argued that the proposed use was lower risk than the previous nightclub operations and that the consolidation of licences would reduce overall impact. They objected to the ancillary-use condition, stating it would restrict future flexibility.

The committee decided to grant the application as applied for, excluding the additional conditions proposed by EHS and the primary use condition suggested by the Soho Society and EHS. The licence permits films, live music, dance, and recorded music until 3 am on most days, extending to 6 am on Thursdays and Saturdays. Late-night refreshment is permitted until 5 am on Thursdays to Saturdays, and alcohol sales are permitted until 4 am on Thursdays to Saturdays. The committee noted that the application did not seek any increase in hours or capacity compared to the existing licences and that the proposed use was considered a lower risk. The committee found that exceptional circumstances justified departing from the Council's policy to refuse applications within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The decision included a condition limiting the number of people on the premises to 600 before 3 am (or midnight on Sundays) and 300 thereafter.