The Licensing Sub-Committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea considered an application for a new premises licence for events in Sloane Square. The committee discussed proposed conditions to mitigate potential public nuisance and ensure safety. The committee noted that a summary decision would be issued within five working days, followed by the full decision and reasons.

Summer on the Square Premises Licence Application

The committee considered an application by Cadogan Estates Limited for a new premises licence for Sloane Square. The proposed licence would allow for plays, films, live and recorded music, dance, and the sale of alcohol between 1 April and 31 December each year, from 10:00 to 22:00. This application aimed to replace the existing time-limited licence, which expires in 2031, with a more permanent arrangement.

The application was met with an objection from the Walpole Street Residents Association, who raised concerns about potential noise and disturbance, increased public drinking and anti-social behaviour due to alcohol sales, congestion and pedestrian safety issues, and the overall impact on the residential character of Sloane Square. They requested the application be refused.

Cadogan Estates Limited, represented by Alan Thomas, Søren Herons (Head of Place), and Will Robinson, argued that the new licence would provide a more efficient framework for managing events and would not lead to an intensification of activities. They highlighted that events would still be managed through a detailed event management and safety plan, requiring approval from the council's events team. They also confirmed their willingness to surrender the existing licence should the new one be granted.

During the hearing, councillors discussed the proposed hours, the nature of daytime entertainment, and the need for security when alcohol is sold. They also reviewed the proposed licensable areas within Sloane Square, comparing them to the existing licence.

Following detailed discussions, the committee considered a number of conditions to address the concerns raised by the objector and to promote the licensing objectives. These included:

• The licence operating only between 1 April and 31 December each year.
• The requirement for an Event Safety Plan for each event, detailing layout, health and safety, site services, inductions, emergency procedures, risk assessments, and incident management.
• All policies and procedures to be made available to police and licensing officers on request.
• A daily incident log to be maintained for at least 12 months.
• A zero-tolerance policy towards illegal substances and weapons, with prominent notices displayed.
• The premises to be maintained in a good, clean, and tidy condition.
• Frequent clearing of glassware and alternatives from tables.
• A litter and waste management plan, including provisions for recycling.
• Regular monitoring for broken glass and litter.
• A Dispersal and External Management Plan to be submitted to the Environmental Health Department, Licensing Authority, and Police, detailing crowd management, dispersal, and noise control measures.
• All staff responsible for selling alcohol to receive regular training on the Licensing Act 2003.
• A Challenge 25 age verification policy to be operated, with staff trained to ask for proof of age.
• Posters to be displayed advising customers of the Challenge 25 policy.
• The event management and safety plan to include a risk assessment for security.
• A litter and waste management plan to include protection against staining the pavement.
• The existing premises licence (reference 22/302108) to be surrendered upon the grant of the new licence.

The committee discussed the wording of the surrender condition, considering a version that would allow the new licence to take effect once the existing one had been surrendered, avoiding a hiatus period. The committee noted that while the licence would be permanent, planning permission would need to be renewed in 2032.

The Chair stated that a summary decision would be issued within five working days, followed by the full decision and reasons.