The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Mirror Café in Richmond. The meeting was also set to approve the minutes from a previous meeting held on 29 January 2026.

The Mirror Café, Richmond

The main item scheduled for discussion was an opposed application for a new premises licence for The Mirror Café, located at 4 Church Court, Richmond, TW9 1JL. The application was for the premises to operate as a café/restaurant, with plans for live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and the sale of alcohol when accompanied by food, including in an external front area.

The agenda indicated that the application had received three representations, primarily from resident associations, expressing concerns about the potential impact on noise, nuisance, and crime in the town centre. The applicant, Ms Evren Yazici, Director and owner of NEX Origin Limited trading as The Mirror Café, had acknowledged some past inappropriate actions, such as displaying alcohol without a licence and placing chairs and tables without a pavement licence. She stated her intention to be a responsible and compliant operator, with the premises being food-led and entertainment limited and pre-booked. Ms Yazici indicated a willingness to accept conditions imposed by the committee.

Further details within the agenda documents highlighted discussions around the proposed operating hours for alcohol sales, live music, and the overall operational hours of the premises. There were also points raised regarding the use of the basement for pre-booked activities, fire safety procedures, and the capacity of the premises. Discrepancies were noted concerning the accuracy of information published on the council's website regarding the application's hours, which had caused confusion. The agenda also included details of the appeal process available to the applicant and those who made representations, as outlined in Annex B of the Licensing Act 2003.

The agenda also referenced previous minutes from a meeting held on 29 January 2026, where the decision regarding The Mirror Café's application was adjourned due to an error in the public notice. The decision notice from that meeting, issued on 10 March 2026, detailed the adjournment and the reasons for it, including the incorrect information on the council's website.