Licensing Panel B of Camden Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to consider two applications: a new premises licence for Schofield's Bar and a transfer of a premises licence for Simmons (Kiss). The panel was scheduled to discuss the details of these applications, including any representations made by responsible authorities or interested parties.

Schofield's Bar, 1A Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LL

The panel was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Schofield's Bar, located at 1A Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LL. The application, detailed in the Public reports pack, proposed the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, as well as late-night refreshments and opening hours until 00:30 from Monday to Saturday and 23:30 on Sundays.

The report pack indicated that the Covent Garden Community Association (CGCA) had made a representation opposing the application, primarily on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. The CGCA's concerns, outlined in their Licensing Representation, focused on the potential impact of an alcohol-led premises operating at the proposed hours, particularly regarding customer arrival and dispersal. They suggested that the licence should be made personal to the current applicants, Daniel and John Schofield, to ensure that any future operator would need to reapply for a variation if they wished to operate beyond 23:00. The applicants, the Schofield brothers, are well-regarded in the hospitality industry, with extensive international experience and numerous awards for their previous ventures. They presented a comprehensive operational plan and proposed a suite of conditions to mitigate potential issues.

Simmons (Kiss), 7 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE

The panel was also scheduled to consider an application to transfer an existing premises licence for Simmons (Kiss), located at 7 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE. The report for this item, found in the Public reports pack, noted that the Metropolitan Police had made a representation opposing the transfer.

The police's concerns, detailed in their Representation, were focused on the prevention of crime and disorder. They cited a history of issues at venues previously associated with the proposed new licence holder, Kashka Ray, including alleged breaches of licence conditions, operating without a Designated Premises Supervisor, and links to drug dealing and prostitution. The police argued that granting the transfer to Camden Hospitality Services Ltd, with Ray Kashka as the sole director, would likely undermine the crime prevention objective and contribute to increased crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. The current premises licence for Simmons (Kiss) permits the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, late-night refreshments, and various music activities, with opening hours extending to 02:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.