The Licensing Panel A of Camden Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Well Walk Theatre, Bookshop & Café. The panel also considered an application to vary an existing premises licence for Mag One.

The Well Walk Theatre, Bookshop & Café, 49 Willow Road NW3 1TS

The panel was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for The Well Walk Theatre, Bookshop & Café, located at 49 Willow Road, London NW3 1TS. The application sought authorisation for the supply of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises between the hours of 11:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday. The premises' general opening hours were proposed to be from 08:00 to 23:00 daily.

The report pack indicated that 72 relevant representations were received concerning this application, with 44 opposing it and 30 in support. The opposing representations raised concerns related to the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm. Specific issues highlighted included potential noise disturbance from patrons, particularly during evening hours and from off-sales, congestion on local streets, and the appropriateness of alcohol sales in a venue primarily catering to children. Concerns were also raised about the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area and the potential for the venue's character to shift from a child-focused cultural space to a drinking establishment.

Conversely, supporting representations highlighted the venue's positive contribution to the local community, its responsible management, and the belief that the proposed licence would enhance its viability and cultural offering. Supporters expressed confidence that the venue would continue to operate in a manner that did not cause disruption to residents.

The report pack also detailed the legal framework and Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy, outlining the four licensing objectives that must be considered. It noted that the application was not engaging the policy on framework hours but was relevant to policies concerning restaurants, cafes, theatres, and community premises.

Mag One, 68 Rosslyn Hill, London, NW3 1ND

The panel was also scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Mag One, located at 68 Rosslyn Hill, London, NW3 1ND. The application sought to remove four existing conditions from the licence:

• No sale of super-strength beer, lager or cider above 5.5% ABV (with limited exceptions for premium products).
• Wine and spirits not to be sold in bottles under 180ml.
• Alcohol to be kept in display units with metal shutters.
• Alcohol to be secured behind shutters outside permitted hours.

The applicant argued that these conditions were legacy measures that were no longer necessary or proportionate for promoting the licensing objectives, suggesting that robust day-to-day management and modern retail compliance controls were sufficient.

The Metropolitan Police Service submitted a representation opposing the variation, arguing that the conditions were relevant and proportionate for promoting the prevention of crime and disorder. They highlighted concerns regarding the availability of super-strength alcohol to vulnerable individuals, the potential for small bottles to be used for drug consumption and cause nuisance, and the effectiveness of shutters in preventing theft and unauthorised out-of-hours sales. The Police stated that these conditions were considered Gold Standard and were still requested for new applications.

The report pack included the current premises licence for Mag One, which detailed its licensable activities and opening hours, primarily for the off-sale of alcohol. The report also outlined the legal framework and Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy, noting that the application engaged the policy on off-licences and the objective of preventing crime and disorder.