The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to consider applications for new and varied premises licences. The committee granted a new premises licence for Sadaf Restaurant, subject to conditions, and granted a variation to the premises licence for The Social, extending its operating hours. An application to vary the premises licence for Cavita was adjourned.

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

The committee granted a new premises licence for Sadaf Restaurant, located at 27-29 Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UA. The application had faced objections from the Metropolitan Police, Licensing Authority, and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team, primarily concerning the prevention of crime and disorder due to previous issues with illegal working and a significant civil penalty imposed on the applicant. The South East Bayswater Residents' Association (SEBRA) also raised concerns about public nuisance.

Despite these objections, the committee decided to grant the licence, noting that the applicant had made efforts to mitigate concerns and that the premises had a long trading history without complaint. The decision was made subject to a comprehensive set of conditions, including those related to record-keeping, right-to-work checks, and operational hours. Conditions were also imposed regarding the use of outside tables and chairs, noise, waste management, and deliveries. Notably, specific conditions were added to address concerns during the Notting Hill Carnival period, including restrictions on the sale of alcohol in glass vessels and a prohibition on alcohol sales after 20:00 on the Sunday and Monday of the carnival.

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

The committee granted a variation to the premises licence for The Social, located at 5 Little Portland Street, London W1W 7JD. The variation sought to extend the terminal hours for various licensable activities, including the performance of dance, exhibition of films, live music, late-night refreshment, and the supply of alcohol, from 01:00 to 03:00 from Thursday to Saturday, and on Sundays preceding a bank holiday.

The application received representations from the Environmental Health Service and three residents, who raised concerns about public nuisance, noise, vibrations, and the impact of extended hours on the local residential community. The Metropolitan Police initially objected but later withdrew their representation after conditions were agreed. The applicant, represented by Paddy Whur, argued that the extension was critical for the venue's financial viability, highlighting its cultural significance and its role as a grassroots music venue.

The committee, after considering the arguments, decided to grant the variation but limited the extended hours to Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with Sundays preceding a bank holiday to be addressed via Temporary Event Notices. This decision was made to balance the applicant's need for increased trading hours with the residents' concerns about public nuisance. A number of conditions were attached to the licence, including requirements for quarterly residents' meetings, a one-hour wind-down period to support dispersal, and specific measures to manage noise and litter. The committee also expressed concern about existing noise issues and expected the Environmental Health Service to investigate and address these.

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

The committee noted that the applicant for Cavita, located at 56-60 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2RZ, had requested an adjournment of the item, and therefore the application was adjourned. The application sought to vary the premises licence to extend licensed hours for alcohol and late-night refreshment, and opening hours, to 01:00 each day. Representations had been received from the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health, both raising concerns about the potential for increased public nuisance and impact on public safety due to the extension beyond the council's core hours policy.