The Licensing Panel of Hounslow Council met on Monday 20 July 2026 to consider an application for a Premises Licence for Food St Market. The panel granted the application, subject to several conditions aimed at promoting the licensing objectives.

Food St Market Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Panel granted the application for a Premises Licence for Food St Market, located at 167-211 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick. The licence permits live and recorded music, performance of dance, and similar descriptions of entertainment, along with the opening of the premises, on Sundays between 11:00 and 16:00.

The decision followed a hearing where the panel considered representations from a Ward Councillor, Councillor Joanna Biddolph, and another resident. Both objectors raised concerns about potential noise nuisance, particularly from amplified music and low-frequency bass notes, and the enforceability of proposed conditions. Councillor Biddolph highlighted issues experienced with festivals in Gunnersbury Park¹ and stressed the need for clearly defined and measurable sound levels, not subjective interpretations. The other objector stated that amplified music from vendors already created a significant disturbance and that residents had previously had to approach traders directly to reduce music volumes. They also expressed concern that subjective conditions in the Noise Management Plan, such as sound levels appropriate to the local environment, were not measurable and therefore difficult to enforce.

Richard Johnson, a Director of Street Food Ventures (the applicant company), explained that entertainment at the market was secondary to the food offerings and had historically consisted of solo performers with small amplifiers, with no prior noise complaints. He stated that the application sought to formalise existing practices. Mr Johnson provided a Noise Management Plan and a response to the representations, outlining measures already in place, including voluntary sound monitoring using a mobile application, careful speaker positioning, and immediate action to address noise complaints. He emphasised that the market operated on a different scale to music festivals and that bass-heavy performances were avoided.

The Panel acknowledged that the application did not propose significant changes to current operations. However, to address the concerns raised and promote the licensing objectives, the Panel imposed a range of conditions. These included:

• Entertainment to take place only on the fourth Sunday of each month between 11:00 and 16:00, for as long as the applicant holds a Street Trading Licence.
• A designated event manager to be present throughout licensable activities, responsible for compliance, trader management, and liaison with responsible authorities.
• All staff supervising or controlling the premises to wear high-visibility jackets or vests.
• An incident log to be maintained, recording crimes, disorder, complaints, and safety-related incidents.
• No subwoofers, bass bins, or other dedicated bass-amplification equipment to be used.
• Speakers and performance areas to be positioned and directed to minimise noise breakout towards residential properties.
• Sound levels to be monitored by designated management during performances, with checks at the site perimeter, and a written log maintained.
• Immediate action to be taken upon receipt of noise complaints, including recording noise levels and documenting actions taken.
• A direct telephone number for the designated market manager to be prominently displayed and made available to residents and businesses.
• The maximum site capacity of 500 persons not to be exceeded, with attendance levels monitored.
• Clear pedestrian and emergency access routes to be maintained at all times.
• All amplified live music and recorded music to be under the direct control of the premises licence holder or designated market manager.
• This licence to be limited to the Applicant, with no stallholder permitted to provide amplified live music or recorded music under its authority.

The Panel also encouraged the applicant to share details of performances with local residents and businesses in advance, using methods such as leaflets and community websites. The right to appeal the decision to the local Magistrate's Court within 21 days of notification was noted.