The Licensing Sub-Committee considered two applications for premises licences. For Ajet E&E Restaurant Ltd, the committee granted a licence for late-night refreshment indoors only and the sale of alcohol on the premises, with modified hours. For The Square at Olympia Exhibition Centre, the committee granted a licence for the sale of alcohol both on and off the premises, with specified hours and conditions, including that any alcohol sold for consumption off the premises must be in a sealed container.

Ajet E&E Restaurant Ltd, 91 Bloemfontein Road, London, W12 7DA

The committee granted a premises licence to Ajet E&E Restaurant Ltd for the provision of late-night refreshment indoors only and the sale of alcohol on the premises. The approved hours for late-night refreshment are Saturday from 23:00 to 00:00 and Sunday from 23:00 to 00:00. Alcohol can be sold from Monday to Thursday between 11:30 and 21:30, Friday between 11:30 and 22:00, Saturday between 11:30 and 23:00, and Sunday between 12:30 and 21:30. The premises will be open to the public from Monday to Friday between 11:30 and 22:00, Saturday between 11:30 and 00:00, and Sunday between 12:30 and 22:00. The decision also included the addition of conditions proposed by the Police and agreed by the applicant.

The application had faced objections from George Christian, the Noise and Nuisance Officer, who raised concerns about potential disturbance to nearby residents due to the premises' proximity to residential properties. Mr Christian argued that operating beyond standard licensing hours could lead to nuisance, particularly as the area is described as a fairly quiet street with limited commercial activity compared to busier roads. He recommended standard licensing hours of 23:00 for this reason.

The applicant, Semira Ali, stated her desire to operate as a restaurant and expressed willingness to adjust hours. She initially sought later hours than those ultimately granted, but indicated flexibility. She confirmed that her business is not a nightclub and that alcohol sales would be ancillary to food. She also agreed to implement conditions such as a Challenge 25 policy and a refusals book.

The Square, Olympia Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8UX

The committee granted a premises licence to Olympia Property Holding Limited for The Square, Olympia Exhibition Centre, allowing the sale of alcohol both on and off the premises. The sale of alcohol is permitted Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00. The premises will be open to the public 24 hours a day. The decision included the addition of all conditions proposed by the applicant and a condition that any alcohol sold for consumption off the premises must be in a sealed container.

This application received 17 objections from local residents and Street Hub Olympia. Charlotte Hume, representing Street Hub and local residents, argued that The Square functions as a dispersal corridor rather than a venue and that introducing alcohol sales would risk obstruction, congestion and public safety issues, particularly during busy event times. Concerns were also raised about the potential for an open-ended licence to outlive operators and the cumulative impact of numerous existing licences within the Olympia estate. Ms Hume requested that if a licence were granted, it should be time-limited, with no off-sales, no amplified or live music on busy show days, and strict conditions.

Matthew Phipps, the applicant's solicitor, described the application as modest and argued that the proposed activities would be occasional and sporadic. He highlighted the lack of objections from responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police, and pointed to the successful use of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) in the area without complaint. He also emphasised Olympia's 140-year history and commitment to responsible management. The applicant agreed to a restriction that off-sales would only be permitted in sealed containers.

During questioning, concerns were raised by Councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan about the necessity of unrestricted off-sales, to which Mr Phipps responded that it would allow for engagement with local producers. Councillor Daryl Brown questioned how static drinking crowds would be managed and the capacity of security staff to handle uninvited guests, to which Sophie Corran, Head of Operations at Olympia, stated that 24/7 security and CCTV were in place. Councillor Afzal-Khan also inquired about safeguards for children using Emberton Walk, with Mr Phipps confirming the Challenge 25 policy and staff training. The committee also discussed the potential for alcohol to leave the estate and the management of consumption boundaries.