The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) is scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Basta London. The committee will also receive updates on membership and any declarations of interest.

Basta London Premises Licence Application

The main focus of the meeting is expected to be the application for a new premises licence for Basta London, located at 12 North Row, London, W1K 7DF. The application seeks permission for late-night refreshment, with proposed operating hours extending to 01:30 from Monday to Sunday. The premises will operate as a seated restaurant with waiter/waitress service, and will not sell alcohol.

The application has generated several objections from responsible authorities and interested parties. The Metropolitan Police Service has objected, stating that the operating schedule lacks sufficient detail to promote the licensing objectives and that the requested hours exceed Westminster's core hours policy. Environmental Health has also raised concerns about potential increases in public nuisance and public safety due to the provision of late-night refreshment, and notes that the requested hours are beyond the council's core hours for restaurants.

Numerous local residents and The Residents' Society of Mayfair and St James's have also submitted objections. Their concerns centre on potential noise and disturbance from late-night operations, particularly from the external terrace area, as well as issues related to anti-social behaviour, such as vehicle noise and customers occupying resident parking spaces. Many objectors propose a compromise, suggesting that the outdoor terrace should close by 11:00 p.m. and the premises by midnight, which they believe would be more consistent with other local restaurants and better balance business interests with residential amenity.

The committee will need to consider these representations alongside the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy¹, which outlines core hours for various premises types and specific policies regarding restaurants (Policy RTN1) and general operating hours (Policy HRS1). The policy details considerations for applications outside core hours, including the potential impact on crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm, as well as the proximity of residential accommodation.

The applicant, Basta London Limited, has submitted a detailed operating schedule and several management policies, including a Terrace Management Policy, Dispersal Policy, and Waste Management Policy, which outline proposed controls to mitigate potential issues. These documents detail measures such as CCTV monitoring, incident logging, staff training, noise control, and specific conditions for the operation of the external terrace area, including capacity limits and closure times.