The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider three licensing aplications. These included a variation to an existing premises licence for Shawarma N More, and new premises licences for Broadcasting House and 1 Paddington Square.

Shawarma N More, 123 Baker Street, W1U 6RZ

The committee was scheduled to discuss a variation to the premises licence for Shawarma N More, located at 123 Baker Street, London, W1U 6RZ. The application sought to extend the hours for late night refreshment and opening hours to 02:00 Monday to Sunday.

The report pack detailed numerous objections from responsible authorities and other interested parties. The Metropolitan Police Service objected on the grounds that the extended hours would undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder, citing concerns about the venue's location in an area already experiencing issues late at night. Environmental Health also raised concerns about potential public nuisance due to increased activity during the extended hours. Numerous residents and the Marylebone Association submitted objections, highlighting issues such as noise, litter, anti-social behaviour, and the impact on the residential nature of the area. Previous applications for extended hours had been refused.

The current premises licence for Shawarma N More, granted on 22 July 2022, permits late night refreshment until 23:30 Monday to Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The proposed variation sought to extend these hours to 02:00 seven days a week.

Broadcasting House, 2-22 Portland Place, W1B 1DJ

A new premises licence application was scheduled for Broadcasting House, located at 2-22 Portland Place, London, W1B 1DJ. The application was from BBC Club Sports and Leisure Ltd for a BBC Media Cafe primarily serving BBC members, employees, contractors, audiences, guests, and visitors.

The proposed licensable activities included the sale of alcohol for on and off-site consumption, live and recorded music, and extended opening hours. The initial application sought hours beyond Westminster Council's core hours policy, leading to representations from Environmental Health and the Metropolitan Police Service. However, following mediation and amendments to the application, including reducing alcohol sales hours to align with core hours and agreeing to specific conditions, both the Metropolitan Police Service and Environmental Health Service withdrew their objections. The agreed conditions included restrictions on alcohol sales to BBC personnel and their guests, CCTV requirements, and noise limitations.

The premises is located within Broadcasting House, which already holds a premises licence for the entire building. The application for a separate licence for the BBC Club area was to ensure clarity of responsibility.

1 Paddington Square, City of Westminster, W2 1DL

The committee was also scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for 1 Paddington Square, City of Westminster, W2 1DL. The premises is described as a cafe/snack bar on Level 1 of the office building. The application sought to permit the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption.

The Metropolitan Police Service initially raised concerns regarding public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder, particularly regarding access control to the office block and the use of an external terrace area. Environmental Health also made representations concerning potential public nuisance and public safety. However, following agreement on further conditions, both the Metropolitan Police Service and Environmental Health Service withdrew their objections. The agreed conditions stipulated that alcohol sales would be restricted to office staff, their bona fide guests, or pre-booked visitors, and would be ancillary to attending a performance or event. Conditions were also added regarding the use of the terrace area and waste management.

The South East Bayswater Residents' Association (SEBRA) and the Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society (PWMVS) submitted objections, primarily concerning the potential for public nuisance and the need for specific conditions to be attached to the licence, such as restrictions on alcohol sales to those consuming substantial food and limitations on the ABV of certain drinks. They also sought clarification on servicing arrangements and the management of third-party delivery personnel.