The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council is scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Dajoo, located at 116 Holland Park Avenue. The application seeks to add live music, recorded music, dance, and similar activities, extend Sunday alcohol sales, and permit on-site alcohol sales.

Application to Vary Premises Licence for Dajoo

The primary item scheduled for discussion is an application by Perseus Hospitality Limited to vary the premises licence for Dajoo, located at 116 Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 4UA. The applicant seeks to introduce several new licensable activities, including live music, recorded music, and dance, indoors. Additionally, the application proposes to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol off the premises by 30 minutes on Sundays and to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises. The proposed hours for various activities, including the sale of alcohol, provision of late-night refreshments, and regulated entertainment, are detailed in the report pack.

The applicant states that Dajoo is a small, ground-floor café/pizzeria with a capacity for approximately 20 seated customers. They have put forward several steps to promote the licensing objectives, including the implementation of a Challenge 25 age-verification policy, CCTV coverage, staff training in responsible alcohol serving, and a dispersal policy to manage customer exit.

However, the application has attracted objections. Councillor David Lindsay, representing the Norland Ward, has raised concerns that the proposed hours should align with neighbouring pubs and restaurants to maintain a balance between commercial activity and residential amenity. Paulette Rowe, a local resident, has also formally objected, citing conflicts with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Licensing Policy, concerns about public nuisance and cumulative impact, a lack of trading history for the applicant, and a fundamental change in the premises' character from a food-led eatery to a music-led venue. Ms. Rowe specifically objects to live music and dancing at the location and suggests that Temporary Event Notices (TENs) would be a more appropriate mechanism for occasional private or community events.

The report pack indicates that the applicant has amended their application in response to representations, including a reduction in proposed hours and the addition of several conditions. These conditions, as proposed by the applicant and discussed with objectors, address noise and nuisance, delivery and refuse collection times, and the management of alcohol sales and consumption. Further conditions have been proposed following communication between the applicant and objectors, relating to the cessation of alcohol and music at 23:00, the closure of doors and windows on specific elevations after 21:00, operating as a restaurant with alcohol served only with substantial meals, restrictions on glass bottles in external bins, and a dispersal policy.

The report also notes that the planning department has been consulted and confirmed no restrictions on opening hours, although there is a condition regarding the removal of outside tables and chairs between 22:00 and 08:00. The committee will consider the application in light of the representations received, the proposed conditions, and the council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the Secretary of State's Guidance.

The attendees for this meeting are Nimca Muhudin, Cllr Greg Hammond (Chair, Environment Select Committee), Cllr Laura Burns (Deputy Mayor and Vice-Chair, Licensing Committee), Cllr Abdullahi Nur (Environmental Spokesperson), and Daniella Hele.