The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC)'s Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an application from the Bluebird Store Limited for a new premises licence for Bluebird Chelsea, located at 350 King's Road, London, SW3 5UU. The application sought to consolidate two existing licences and extend licensable activities to the front courtyard. The committee heard from the applicant, licensing officers, and considered written representations from local residents. Ultimately, the committee granted the licence with amended conditions, including restrictions on the courtyard's operating hours and the number of patrons allowed in the smoking area.

Bluebird Chelsea Licensing Application

Bluebird Chelsea applied for a new premises licence to consolidate two existing licences and extend licensable activities to the front courtyard. The applicant stated that the purpose of the application was to allow the operators to put a dispense bar in the courtyard area to improve service for customers. The new licence would permit:

• Performance of live music indoors
• Playing of recorded music indoors
• Entertainment similar to music or dance
• Provision of late-night refreshment indoors
• Sale of alcohol on and off the premises

The licensable areas would cover the ground, mezzanine, first floor, and front courtyard.

Objections from Residents

The council received nine representations objecting to the application, including one from the Paultons Square Residents Association. Concerns included:

• Potential for increased noise and disturbance due to the extension of licensable activities to the courtyard.
• Extension of New Year's Eve hours causing significant noise disruption.
• Removal or dilution of existing licensing conditions designed to uphold the four licensing objectives[^1].
• Cumulative impact from the intensification of licensing activities along the King's Road.
• Instances of patrons urinating in Mallord Street and employees littering in The Vale.

• Concerns about antisocial behaviour, drug use, crime, and disorder.

  [^1]: The four licensing objectives are: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm.

Amendments to the Application

Lisa Sharkey, the applicant's legal advisor, informed the committee of an amendment to the application, confirming that late night refreshment would not be provided in the courtyard after 23:00. She clarified that while the courtyard would close for licensable activities at 11 o'clock, people would be allowed to finish their drinks before leaving.

Questions and Discussion

• Councillor Toby Benton asked about capacity in the courtyard and the reason for requesting 35 people to be outside smoking or making calls after 23:00. The applicant stated the courtyard's fire risk assessment capacity is 120 people, and the number 35 was agreed with authorities and residents.
• Councillor Janet Evans, chair of the meeting, raised concerns about music in the courtyard. The applicant confirmed there would only be piped background music, not live or recorded music as part of the application.
• Councillor Evans questioned how numbers would be handled in the courtyard, particularly on busy weekend afternoons or evenings. The applicant explained that staff and security officers control numbers, and it was not part of the application that everyone had to be seated.
• Councillor Evans asked about the dispense bar and whether customers could order drinks directly from it. The applicant confirmed it would be waiter/waitress service only.
• Councillor Dori Schmetterling asked about the salon privé, and the applicant confirmed it is a private dining room hired out for functions.
• Councillor Schmetterling suggested that in future, when submitting revised hours, the changes should be clearly stated.
• Councillor Evans raised a question about New Year's Eve hours, and the applicant clarified that the existing licence already allows service all the way through, but they generally shut at 02:00.
• Councillor Schmetterling addressed the objectors, urging them to report any issues on the day to provide evidence for complaints.

Conditions

The committee then discussed the conditions to be attached to the licence. Key points included:

• CCTV: The applicant initially objected to a condition requiring CCTV coverage of all entry and exit points in the courtyard, citing cost concerns.
• Staff Training: The applicant requested an amendment to the condition regarding staff training records, proposing to include electronic logs and details of the external training provider.
• Residents Meetings: The applicant preferred to keep the wording for resident meetings less restrictive, suggesting an annual meeting or attending residents' meetings.
• Courtyard Service: The applicant stated that adding wording about customers being seated at tables, except for private events, would mean they would not use the licence.
• Courtyard Closure: The applicant initially wanted the wording to be 23:00 hours, full stop to allow time for customers to finish their drinks. However, following concerns from the committee, the applicant compromised, agreeing that the courtyard would be closed and cleared by 23:00, with customers asked to move inside the premises to finish their drinks.
• Smoking: Councillor Evans expressed concern about the number of people smoking outside, suggesting a lower number than the proposed 35.

Outcome

The committee agreed to grant the licence, subject to the following conditions:

• CCTV to be in operation at the premises.
• Staff to receive training in the Licensing Act 2003.
• A daily incident log to be kept at the premises.
• Clearly legible notices to be displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect local residents.
• A telephone number for complaints to be displayed.
• The Premises Licence Holder to organise annual meetings with residents.
• No music or amplified sound to cause nuisance to neighbouring dwellings.
• Substantial food and non-alcoholic beverages to be available.
• 'Challenge 25' age verification policy to be operated.
• Sale of alcohol from the external bar in the courtyard to be by waiter/waitress service only.
• The external courtyard area to be closed and cleared of customers by 23:00.
• The number of patrons permitted to temporarily utilise the external courtyard post 23:00 for smoking to be limited to 25.
• Any patrons drinking and/or smoking within the courtyard to do so in an orderly manner and be properly monitored.
• Remove courtyard from regulated entertainment.