A Licensing Sub-Committee of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council is scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for YRS LDN, located at 1A Kensington High Street, London W8 5NP. The application seeks permission to operate as a restaurant and bar, with proposed hours extending until 4:00 am seven days a week. A significant number of representations have been received from residents, local councillors, and responsible authorities, raising concerns about the potential impact on the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the prevention of crime and disorder.

Application for a Premises Licence at YRS LDN

The primary focus of the meeting is the application by YRS LDN Ltd for a new premises licence for the basement premises at 1A Kensington High Street, London W8 5NP. The applicant proposes to operate a restaurant and bar, with licensable activities including the exhibition of films, live and recorded music, performances of dance, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol. The proposed operating hours are from 12:00 pm to 4:00 am daily, with the premises remaining open to the public until 4:30 am.

The report pack details the history of the premises, which previously operated as Jako and had its licence revoked in February 2022 following serious incidents of crime and disorder, including a triple stabbing. The current application seeks to operate with later hours than were previously permitted.

The applicant has put forward a series of proposed steps to promote the licensing objectives, including the installation and maintenance of CCTV, the keeping of an incident log, staff training on age verification and responsible alcohol retailing, and the provision of substantial food and non-intoxicating beverages. Specific measures are also proposed for the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance, such as a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs, the use of Body Worn Video (BWV) by door staff, and the operation of a noise management plan.

However, numerous representations have been made in opposition to the application. PC Charlotte Bennett of the Metropolitan Police has raised concerns about the proposed operating hours and the need for appropriate management, given the premises' history. The Licensing Authority, represented by Licensing Enforcement Officer Ms Laura McGahon, has also made representations, highlighting the lack of detailed information about the proposed operating model and the potential for public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety issues, particularly given the proposed late hours and proximity to residential properties.

Mr Philip Richardson, Principal Environmental Health Officer for the Noise and Nuisance Team, has objected on the grounds of preventing public nuisance, citing the premises' history of noise issues and proposing specific conditions related to acoustic reports, sound limiting devices, and refuse collection times.

In addition to these official representations, there are 28 further representations opposing the application from other persons, including the Kensington Court Residents' Association, Councillors Max Dodd-Noble and Lucy Shaw, and numerous individual residents and businesses. These representations consistently express deep concerns about the proposed late hours, the potential for increased noise, litter, anti-social behaviour, and crime, drawing heavily on the negative experiences during the previous operation of the premises as Jako. Many objectors are requesting the application be refused outright, or that significantly tighter restrictions, including a midnight closing time and no off-sales of alcohol, be imposed.

The Licensing Sub-Committee will need to consider these representations alongside the applicant's proposals and the relevant guidance and policies when determining whether to grant the licence, and if so, what conditions should be attached. The committee has the power to grant the application in full, modify the conditions, refuse to specify a designated premises supervisor, or reject the application in whole or in part.

The documents available for this meeting include the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.