The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Basta London. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items such as membership changes and declarations of interest.

Basta London Premises Licence Application

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a new premises licence application for Basta London, located at 12 North Row, London, W1K 7DF. The application sought permission for late-night refreshment, with proposed hours extending to 1:30 am from Monday to Sunday. The premises are described as a food-led, seated restaurant with waiter/waitress service, and an external terrace area. Crucially, the application stated that no alcohol sales would be part of the operation, nor would there be any regulated entertainment or nightclub-style activities.

The application was accompanied by several management policies, including a Terrace Management Policy, Dispersal Policy, and Waste Management Policy, all aimed at promoting the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of public nuisance and crime and disorder.

However, the application had attracted objections from several parties. The Metropolitan Police Service raised concerns about the sufficiency of detail in the operating schedule and noted that the requested hours exceeded Westminster's core hours policy for restaurants. Environmental Health also objected, citing potential increases in public nuisance and impacts on public safety, and highlighting that the requested hours were beyond the council's core hours policy for restaurants.

Numerous local residents and The Residents' Society of Mayfair and St James's submitted objections. Common themes in these objections included concerns about noise and disturbance from late-night customers, particularly from the outdoor terrace, and issues related to anti-social behaviour, such as the revving of car engines and customers occupying residential parking spaces. Many objectors proposed a compromise, suggesting that the outdoor terrace should close by 11:00 pm and the premises by midnight, aligning with other restaurants in the area.

The report pack also detailed the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy, including policies on core hours (HRS1) and restaurant operations (RTN1), which the Sub-Committee was required to consider. The policy outlines general principles for granting licences and specific considerations for applications within or outside cumulative impact zones. The report also referenced the Equality Act 2010, reminding the committee of its public sector equality duty.

The agenda indicated that the Sub-Committee would consider the application in light of the applicant's submissions, the representations received, and relevant council policies and guidance. The report pack included appendices detailing premises plans, applicant supporting documents, premises history, proposed conditions, and a map of the vicinity with other licensed premises.