The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to consider three licensing applications. The applications involved a new premises licence for a restaurant and variations to existing licences for two establishments.

Sadaf Restaurant, 27-29 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UA

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Sadaf Restaurant. The applicant, Persian Aroma Ltd, sought to operate as a restaurant with licensable activities including the playing of recorded music, the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises, and late-night refreshment. The proposed hours for recorded music were until 23:30 on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Alcohol sales were proposed until 23:30 on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday hours until 22:30.

Representations were received from Environmental Health, the Metropolitan Police, the Licensing Authority, and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team. Environmental Health raised concerns about potential public nuisance and impacts on public safety, noting that the applicant's submitted steps did not fully address their concerns. The Metropolitan Police objected to the application, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, referencing a previous review of the premises licence due to illegal working. The Licensing Authority also expressed concerns regarding all four licensing objectives, highlighting the previous licence review and the discovery of an immigration offender. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team objected on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder, detailing a previous instance of illegal working, a significant civil penalty issued to the applicant, and evidence of repeated business failures and phoenix company behaviour. The South East Bayswater Residents' Association (SEBRA) also objected, primarily on the grounds of potential public nuisance, though they considered the requested hours and conditions to be acceptable, with a specific condition requested regarding the use of outside tables and chairs.

The report also detailed the policy context, including the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy and relevant guidance from the Secretary of State under the Licensing Act 2003. Core hours for restaurants were outlined, and the premises' location within the Queensway/Bayswater Special Consideration Zone was noted.

The Social, 5 Little Portland Street, London, W1W 7JD

A variation to the premises licence for The Social was scheduled for discussion. The applicant, The Social Little Portland Street Ltd, sought to extend the hours for the performance of dance, exhibition of film, performance of live music, playing of recorded music, anything of a similar description, late-night refreshment, and the sale by retail of alcohol. The proposed extension would allow these activities until 03:00 from Monday to Sunday. The application also sought to amend existing conditions 13 and 35 of the licence.

Representations were received from Environmental Health, objecting to the extension beyond the council's core hours policy due to increased risks of public nuisance and potential impacts on public safety. The Metropolitan Police initially objected on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder but later withdrew their representation following an agreement on conditions. A representation was also received from an interested party, the Titlake Residents Association, who strongly objected to the extension, citing significant noise and vibration issues experienced over many years due to the venue's operation and the canyon effect of Little Portland Street. They argued that extending the hours would make it impossible for residents to sleep.

The report outlined the relevant policies, including Policy SCZ1 concerning Special Consideration Zones and Policy HRS1 regarding core hours. The venue is located in the West End Cumulative Impact Area. The applicant's submissions included letters of support from various organisations and individuals, including James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers, Andrew Trendell of NME, Kieran Evans (filmmaker), John Niven (author), DBC Pierre (author), Cold War Steve (artist), Lee Brackstone (publisher), Raoul Shah (CEO of Exposure), David Keenan (author), and Music Venue Trust. These submissions highlighted the venue's cultural significance, its role in supporting emerging artists and the music scene, and its contribution to the local economy and community. The Music Venue Trust specifically argued that extending the hours was essential for the venue's financial resilience and its ability to continue supporting grassroots music.

The report also detailed the venue's existing licence history and conditions, including those imposed following a Magistrates' Court hearing in 2006 concerning noise complaints.

Cavita, Ground Floor, 56-60 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2RZ

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for Cavita, a restaurant specialising in Mexican cuisine. The applicant, Mayahuel Ltd, sought to extend the licensed hours for alcohol and late-night refreshment, as well as the overall opening hours, to 01:00 each day. This variation would amend conditions 11(a) and (b) of the current licence, which specify the terminal hours for the sale or supply of alcohol on weekdays and Sundays. No other changes to hours or conditions were sought.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Service and Environmental Health. The Metropolitan Police objected to the application, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm. They proposed additional conditions to be added to the licence to promote the licensing objectives. Environmental Health also submitted a representation, objecting on the grounds that the proposed variation would undermine the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and public safety. They noted that the requested hours exceeded Westminster City Council's core hours policy and proposed further conditions.

The report referenced the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, specifically Policy HRS1 regarding core hours and Policy RNT1 concerning restaurants. The premises are located in Marylebone ward and are not within a Cumulative Impact Area or Special Consideration Zone. The report also included the premises' licence history and details of the current licence conditions.