The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) of Westminster Council met on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to consider two new premises licence applications. The applications were for a restaurant at 94 Bishop's Bridge Road and an ice cream cafe at 7 Garrick Street.

94 Bishop's Bridge Road, London W2 5AA

The committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises licence application for 94 Bishop's Bridge Road, London W2 5AA, which intends to operate as a restaurant. The applicant, The Italian Lounge Ltd, sought to provide late-night refreshment indoors and outdoors from 11:00 pm to 2:00 am, Monday to Sunday, and to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am daily.

The Environmental Health Service made representations, stating that the requested hours for late-night refreshment were likely to result in an increase in public nuisance and could adversely impact public safety. They proposed a set of conditions, including that the premises operate strictly as a restaurant with alcohol supplied only to seated customers having substantial table meals, and that all windows and external doors be kept closed after 9:00 pm.

The Metropolitan Police Service also objected, citing the premises' recent licence revocation in November 2025 due to persistent condition breaches and trading after terminal hours. They expressed concern that the proposed conditions were not strong enough to combat potential crime and disorder and sought assurance that the applicant had no connection to the previous operator.

The South East Bayswater Residents' Association (SEBRA) and the Bayswater Residents' Association (BRA) both submitted objections, primarily on the grounds of preventing public nuisance and public safety. They highlighted the premises' location within the Queensway/Bayswater Special Consideration Zone, surrounded by residential buildings, and the previous licence revocation. Both associations requested that any granted hours should not exceed Westminster's 'Core Hours' and supported the imposition of a model restaurant condition for the entire premises.

The report pack also detailed the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy, specifically referencing Policy SCZ1 for Special Consideration Zones and Policy HRS1 regarding core hours. Policy RNT1, concerning restaurants, was also relevant.

Amorino, Basement and Ground Floor, 7 Garrick Street, London WC2E 9AR

The committee was also scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Amorino, located at the Basement and Ground Floor, 7 Garrick Street, London WC2E 9AR. The premises, described as an ice cream cafe, applied to provide late-night refreshment indoors from 11:00 pm to 2:00 am on Sundays, and until 1:00 am on Mondays to Thursdays, and 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The proposed opening hours for the premises were from 10:30 am to 2:00 am, Monday to Friday, and 10:00 am to 2:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Metropolitan Police Service initially objected, concerned that the proposed hours would undermine the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder, particularly given the premises' location within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). They referenced policies CIP1 and FFP1, which generally presume against granting licences for fast-food premises in the CIZ unless hours are within core hours or capacity is reduced. However, following mediation and a reduction in the applied-for hours, the Metropolitan Police withdrew their representation.

The Environmental Health department also made a representation, noting that the proposed hours for late-night refreshment could lead to an increase in public nuisance and impact public safety within the West End CIZ.

The Licensing Authority raised concerns regarding public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. They noted that the applied-for hours for late-night refreshment fell outside Westminster's core hours for fast-food venues and requested further submissions from the applicant regarding deliveries, the extent of hot food sales, and hours for outdoor seating. They proposed a condition that licensable activities be ancillary to the main function of the premises as a cold food/ice cream parlour.

The Covent Garden Community Association (CGCA) submitted an objection, concerned that the late operation of the premises might attract larger numbers of people to a quiet area, leading to noise and public nuisance. They requested conditions to ensure orderly queuing, manage noise and litter, and crucially, that the primary use of the premises remain as an ice cream shop, with any late-night refreshment provision being ancillary.

The report pack outlined relevant policies including CIP1 (Cumulative Impact Policy), HRS1 (Core Hours Policy), and FFP1 (Fast Food Premises Policy). The applicant provided a response to the Licensing Authority's queries, confirming deliveries via third-party providers, specifying hot food as waffles and crepes, and hot drinks like coffee, and stating that the outdoor seating area closes at 10:00 pm.

The committee was also provided with proposed conditions from the Police, Environmental Health, and interested parties, covering aspects such as CCTV, incident logs, delivery driver conduct, noise, fumes, litter, and queue management.