The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Monday 17 August 2026 to consider a review of the premises licence for Mistress of Mayfair. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items.

Licensing Applications for Determination

Mistress of Mayfair, 48-49 St James's Street, London SW1A 1JT

The committee was scheduled to consider an interim measures application pending a full review of the premises licence for Mistress of Mayfair. This application was made by the Metropolitan Police Service on 13 August 2026, citing the premises' association with serious crime or disorder under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003.

The report pack detailed an incident on 10 August 2026, where police and ambulance services were called to the venue following a serious assault. A male patron sustained a slash wound to the neck, and a suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder. The police report highlighted significant breaches of the premises' licence conditions, including failures in ID scanning and inadequate management of the incident scene.

The report outlined several potential interim steps the committee could take, including modifying licence conditions, excluding the sale of alcohol, removing the designated premises supervisor, or suspending the licence. The report noted that it had not been possible for the premises licence holder to submit their representations in time for the publication of the report due to the statutory 48-hour deadline for interim hearings.

The report also detailed previous enforcement actions and concerns raised by Westminster Council inspectors, including a Section 19 closure notice issued in January 2026 for breaches of ID scanning and CCTV retention conditions. A complaint from a member of the public who witnessed the incident was also included, detailing concerns about customer safety and the handling of the situation.

The committee was advised to have regard to the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 and guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The report also included details of the venue's core hours for various licensable activities as set out in the council's policy.