The Licensing Sub-Committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea met on Thursday, 18 June 2026, to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Dajoo, located at 116 Holland Park Avenue. The committee granted the variation, allowing for the on-site sale of alcohol and extending operating hours, subject to a number of agreed conditions.

Variation of Premises Licence for Dajoo

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application from Perseus Hospitality Limited to vary the premises licence for Dajoo, a ground-floor café and pizzeria at 116 Holland Park Avenue. The applicant sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol off the premises by 30 minutes on Sundays and to include the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 8am and 11pm daily. Additionally, the application requested permission for live music, recorded music, dance, and similar activities indoors.

The application had initially attracted four representations, including from RBKC Noise, Councillor David Petit, and former Councillor David Lindsay. However, following amendments to the application and the agreement of additional conditions, these objections were withdrawn. Ms. Paulette Rowe remained as the sole objector.

Arguments for the Variation:

Mr. Ali Nazaripur, director of Perseus Hospitality, presented the case, emphasising that Dajoo is a small, local restaurant with a capacity for approximately 20 seated customers. He stressed that alcohol sales would be ancillary to food and only served when a substantial meal had been ordered, with only wine and one type of beer offered. Mr. Nazaripur highlighted that the premises had been operating for four months without any noise complaints and that the proposed changes were intended to allow for occasional private events and community gatherings. He stated, We want to be a member of the community and trying to establish a very close link with the community. ¹

Arguments Against the Variation:

Ms. Paulette Rowe, a resident of Holland Park Terrace, formally objected to the application. Her primary concerns centred on the potential for public nuisance and a perceived change in the character of the premises from a food-led establishment to a late-night bar or club. She argued that the proposed hours extended beyond the council's core hours without exceptional justification and that off-sales could lead to street drinking, littering, and loitering in residential streets. Ms. Rowe also raised concerns about noise and congestion from deliveries, particularly on Portland Road, which directly abuts residential properties. She stated, The applicant has provided no exceptional justification to deviate from this policy in a quiet residential street like Holland Park Terrace/Portland Road. ² Councillor David Lindsay also submitted a representation, requesting that the proposed hours align with neighbouring equivalent premises in the predominantly residential ward.

Agreed Conditions and Decision:

Following extensive discussions and negotiations, a number of conditions were agreed upon by the applicant and the objectors, which were then incorporated into the operating schedule and considered by the committee. These included:

• Terminal Hour for Alcohol and Music: Alcohol and music sales to cease at 11pm, with no off-sales after this time.
• Structural Mitigation: All doors and windows on the Portland Road and Holland Park Terrace elevations to be kept closed after 9pm, except for essential access.
• Restaurant Condition: The premises to operate as a restaurant only, with alcohol served only to persons taking a substantial table meal, and no vertical drinking permitted.
• Waste Management: No glass bottles to be placed in street or external bins between 9pm and 8am.
• External Areas: No consumption of food and drink in external seating areas after 10pm.
• Dispersal Plan: A written Dispersal Policy to be implemented, directing patrons towards Holland Park Avenue and away from Holland Park Terrace and Portland Road.
• Delivery Management: Deliveries to be conducted solely via the Holland Park Avenue entrance, with no delivery vehicles permitted to park or wait on Portland Road or Holland Park Terrace after 11pm.
• Sound Limiter: All music to be relayed through a sound-limiting device.
• External Management Plan: A comprehensive Dispersal and External Management Plan to be submitted and adhered to.

The committee, chaired by Councillor Greg Hammond, granted the variation of the premises licence. The decision reflected the agreements reached between the applicant and the objectors, ensuring that the operation of Dajoo would be managed to mitigate potential public nuisance and uphold the licensing objectives. The summary decision was to be issued within five working days, with a full determination to follow.