The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 13 June 2024 to consider three licensing applications. Decisions were made on all three applications, with one granted with amendments, one granted with conditions, and one refused.

Homeslice, 52 Wells Street W1T 3PR

The committee considered a variation to the premises licence for Homeslice, a pizza restaurant at 52 Wells Street, W1T 3PR. The applicant, Mr Baba Ayo-Ojo, sought to extend the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshment hours to 01:30 Monday to Saturday, and opening hours to 02:00 Monday to Saturday.

Numerous objections were received from residents and local authorities, primarily citing concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, and the premises' location in a predominantly residential area. Objectors argued that the requested hours were outside Westminster's core hours policy and would exacerbate existing noise and disturbance issues. The Metropolitan Police Service also raised concerns about the potential for increased crime and disorder.

Environmental Health Service noted that while the current operation had not resulted in nuisance complaints, the extension of hours could lead to increased public nuisance, particularly from delivery services and unmanaged walk-in customers.

After hearing submissions from the applicant, objectors, and responsible authorities, the committee decided to grant the application with several amendments and conditions. The terminal hours for late-night refreshment were set to 00:00 Sunday to Thursday and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Alcohol sales were permitted from 10:00 to 23:30 Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:00 to 23:30 on Sundays. Opening hours were set to 00:00 Monday to Thursday and 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Crucially, the premises was restricted to operating solely as a restaurant, with alcohol sales being ancillary to substantial table meals, and conditions were imposed regarding external areas, noise, and waste management.

Basement and Ground Floor, 353 Harrow Road W9 3NA

The committee considered a new premises licence application for a convenience store and off-licence at 353 Harrow Road, W9 3NA. The applicant, Mr Grover Paranjeet Singh, sought to sell alcohol off the premises from 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 09:00 to 22:30 on Sundays.

The Environmental Health Service initially raised concerns about insufficient information, but later confirmed they were satisfied with the application. The Metropolitan Police Service initially objected due to insufficient detail in the operating schedule but withdrew their objection after agreed conditions were made with the applicant. Several residents also objected, citing the existing number of alcohol retailers in the vicinity and concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

The committee decided to grant the application with mandatory conditions and additional conditions agreed with the applicant and proposed by the police and Environmental Health. These included CCTV requirements, staff training, a Challenge 25 policy, an incident log, and restrictions on the sale of super-strength alcohol and miniature spirit bottles. Waste collection times were also restricted.

75 Dean Street W1D 3PU

The committee considered a new premises licence application for 75 Dean Street, W1D 3PU, from Soho Estates Limited. The application sought to continue the existing licensable activities and hours of a cultural venue, but without the previous time limit and operator restriction. The proposed capacity for the premises was 499.

Representations were received from the Licensing Authority, the Meard and Dean Street Residents Association (MDSRA), and the Soho Society. Concerns were raised about the cumulative impact of additional licensed premises in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone (CIA), the vagueness of the proposed use as a cultural venue, and the potential for noise nuisance and increased crime and disorder. Objectors highlighted the high density of licensed premises in Soho and the impact on residents' quality of life.

The applicant's agent, Mr Alun Thomas, argued that the proposed use was ancillary to a cultural venue and that the operation was not a high-risk addition to the CIA. He also addressed concerns about capacity and the removal of personal conditions from the previous licence.

After considering all submissions, the committee decided to grant the application with several amendments and conditions. The terminal hours for late-night refreshment were set to 00:00 Sunday to Thursday and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Alcohol sales were permitted from 09:00 to 00:00 Monday to Saturday and 09:00 to 22:30 on Sundays. Opening hours were set to 00:00 Monday to Saturday and 22:30 on Sundays. Crucially, the premises was restricted to operating as a cultural venue, with alcohol sales and late-night refreshment being ancillary to this primary function. Conditions were imposed regarding CCTV, incident logs, noise, waste management, and patron behaviour. A specific condition was added that there would be no use of the roof terrace, except for maintenance.