The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council met on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, to consider a new premises licence application for Amelia's, Station Cafe, located at Victoria Road, Acton, W3 6UP. After hearing representations from the applicant and objectors, the committee decided to grant the premises licence with amended opening hours and conditions.

New Premises Licence for Amelia's, Station Cafe

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Amelia's, Station Cafe, Victoria Road, Acton, W3 6UP. The applicant, Mr Sercihan Yusuf Ucur, sought permission to sell alcohol, provide late-night refreshment, and host live music. The application proposed opening hours from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Sundays to Thursdays, and 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, with alcohol sales permitted until 11:30 PM daily.

Several representations were received from responsible authorities, including the Police, the Licensing Authority (represented by Robert Dear), and the Noise and Pollution Control Team (represented by Mateusz Kruk). A member of the public, Salman Udin, also submitted an objection.

Applicant's Case: Mr Ucur presented his case, acknowledging the site's previous operation as a shisha lounge with a negative impact on the community. He stressed that Amelia's would operate under a new concept, focusing on Mediterranean food and upscale cocktails, with shisha being a secondary offering. He stated that alterations had been made to ensure the shisha space was 51% open, complying with regulations. Mr Ucur assured the committee that the venue was not intended to be a late-night club, with music played at background levels and an average customer spend higher than that of a typical nightclub. He also confirmed that SIA security would be present, with one staff member on duty on weekdays and two on weekends, and that 17 CCTV cameras were in operation. He agreed to align the operational hours with Ealing's core hours and accepted conditions regarding alcohol sales and late-night refreshment times.

Objectors' Concerns:

• Robert Dear, representing the Ealing Council Licensing Authority, expressed concerns about potential noise nuisance from the retractable roof and the implications of the 51% open-air policy for shisha smoking, which could prevent windows from being closed. He suggested conditions such as a last entry time, no re-entry, and doors and windows remaining closed after 8 PM, particularly when live music was being played. He noted that many of his initial concerns were allayed after hearing the applicant's representations, particularly regarding the presence of licensed SIA security.
• Mateusz Kruk, from Ealing Council's Noise and Pollution Control Team, objected due to the proximity of residential properties and the venue's open design, which could lead to noise pollution from raised voices and music. He highlighted previous complaints about loud music from the venue under its previous operator, Sandflames, and noted that new residential developments had increased the number of potentially affected residents. Mr Kruk requested the withdrawal of regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, and proposed reduced background music after 10 PM, with live background music from an unamplified instrument permitted until 9 PM on certain nights. He also suggested aligning opening hours with Ealing's core hours.
• Dimitri Cassar, a Police Sergeant, raised concerns regarding the prevention of public nuisance, citing the venue's location in a densely populated residential area and the potential for anti-social behaviour and intoxication from patrons leaving late at night. The Police would not object if the venue operated within Ealing's core hours.
• Salman Udin, representing residents, objected based on the premises' history of shisha smoking in enclosed spaces, noise disturbances, parking issues, and suspected drug activity. He also raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the operating company and the extended hours.

Decision: The Licensing Sub-Committee granted the premises licence. They were satisfied that the amended operational hours, as agreed by the applicant during the hearing, would be within Ealing's prescribed core hours and would not negatively impact the licensing objectives. The committee expressed confidence in Mr Ucur's business objectives and his ability to prevent noise and public nuisance.

The following conditions were imposed:

• One licensed SIA staff member to be on duty from 10 PM until closing, seven days a week.
• Amelia's operational hours will be 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight) from Sunday to Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The premises may remain open until 2:00 AM on New Year's Eve. These hours align with Ealing's established core hours.
• The sale of alcohol will be permitted until 11:30 PM, seven days a week.
• Late-night refreshments will be permitted until 11:30 PM, seven days a week, aligning with the alcohol licence.

The sub-committee noted the objectors' concerns about the retractable roof but considered this to be a matter for other legal forums, as there was no current evidence that the premises would negatively impact the four licensing objectives.

The meeting commenced at 11:02 AM and concluded at 1:19 PM.