The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 04 June 2026 to consider a new premises licence application for Hyde Park, Serpentine Road, London, W2 2UH. The committee granted the application, allowing for an increase in the capacity of the British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park concerts to 69,999 attendees.

Hyde Park Concert Capacity Increase Approved

The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) has granted a new premises licence for Hyde Park, Serpentine Road, London, W2 2UH, allowing for an increase in the capacity of the British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park concerts. The application, submitted by The Royal Parks Limited, sought to increase the maximum capacity from 64,999 to 69,999 for all nine concerts.

The decision was made after careful consideration of representations from responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Service and the Environmental Health Service, as well as numerous interested parties, both in support and opposition.

Key aspects of the decision include:

• Increased Capacity: The licence now permits a maximum of 69,999 attendees for each of the nine BST Hyde Park concerts. This represents an increase from the previous licence, which allowed for seven concerts at 64,999 capacity and two at 49,999.
• Sunday Hours Reduction: In response to resident feedback, the terminal hour for licensable activities on Sundays has been reduced from 22:30 to 22:00.
• Amended Conditions: Amendments were made to conditions 11 and 28 of the existing licence to reflect the increased capacity and the number and scheduling of Major Events ¹. Condition 79 mandates the surrender of the existing premises licence upon the grant of the new one.
• Noise Management: The committee was reassured by the Environmental Health Service's assessment that off-site noise levels would not significantly increase. While existing noise limits remain, new conditions have been introduced to clarify monitoring locations and methodologies. This includes the addition of two fixed automatic monitoring positions to the north and east of the site, and a commitment to further investigation into noise impacts and potential additional monitoring locations.
• Public Safety and Dispersal: The committee was satisfied that existing public safety measures, including crowd management, ingress, egress, and emergency evacuation arrangements, were sufficient to accommodate the increased capacity. The applicant, The Royal Parks Limited, agreed to proportionately increase staffing and resources, including clean-up provisions, and to take steps to reduce obstructions caused by e-bikes.
• Community Impact: The committee acknowledged concerns raised by residents and community groups regarding public nuisance, particularly noise and dispersal, and the cumulative impact of events. However, they concluded that the proposal would be tightly controlled by a robust package of conditions and that the Licensing Objectives would not be unacceptably undermined.
• Economic and Cultural Significance: The Sub-Committee recognised the national significance of the BST Hyde Park concerts and their importance to The Royal Parks' funding model, which relies on generating income to maintain London's historic green spaces. The application was seen as crucial for maintaining the event's competitiveness in attracting international artists and supporting the wider London economy.

The decision was made after a hearing where evidence was presented by the applicant, responsible authorities, and interested parties. The Sub-Committee noted the applicant's commitment to continuous improvement and ongoing engagement with residents and stakeholders.