The Licensing Sub-Committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on 23 July 2025 and decided to grant a new premises licence to Imperial College White City Innovation District, and to reject a new premises licence for Kaspa's Desserts. The Imperial College licence was granted with conditions, while the Kaspa's Desserts application was rejected due to concerns about public nuisance and the impact on the residential area.

Imperial College White City Innovation District, H1 Building, Wood Lane

The committee approved an application for a new premises licence for the Imperial College White City Innovation District, H1 Building, Wood Lane, London, W12. The licence allows the supply of alcohol on and off the premises, late night refreshment indoors and outdoors, and performances of live music, recorded music, films, dance, and similar activities.

The approved hours are:

• Monday and Tuesday: 11:00 to 01:00
• Wednesday: 11:00 to 02:00
• Thursday to Saturday: 11:00 to 03:00
• Sunday: 11:00 to midnight
• Non-standard timings: end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year's Day and Sundays before bank holidays 11:00 to 03:00

The licence includes mandatory conditions, conditions proposed by the applicant as amended by the committee, and conditions proposed by the police and agreed to by the applicant.

Alan Thomas of Thomas & Thomas Solicitors, the agent for the applicant, explained that Imperial College White City is expanding as part of its White City Campus Master Plan. He noted that Unit H1 has entries to the north and south, with dispersal towards the tube station or Wood Lane, where customers can get a taxi or bus, and that there is very little residential in the immediate vicinity.

Pablo Pimenta, a real estate consultant advising Imperial College London, said that the intention was to target expert and reputable operators in the operation of restaurants and bars, including restaurant groups and specialised breweries, to provide an all-day offer catering for both students and residents.

Councillor Patrick Walsh, Chair of Audit Committee, Deputy Whip, and Borough Representative for the Armed Forces Community, asked about staff training, particularly in handling alcohol and safety measures like Ask for Angela¹. Thomas confirmed that staff would be trained in safeguarding vulnerable persons, and that training records would be kept.

Councillor Dominic Stanton, Opposition Whip, asked about the type of provision within the premises, and whether it could be something like a nightclub. Thomas clarified that it would not be a nightclub, and Pimenta added that they would be targeting expert operators with a track record who can operate a late venue. Councillor Stanton also asked about the number of covers, and Pimenta said that they were designing a venue for 200 patrons.

Councillor Callum Nimmo asked about ID checks, and Thomas responded that Imperial College has safeguarding as a priority, and that there would be a risk-assessed number of SIA² door staff. He added that ID would probably be checked at the door, and that there is a challenge 25 policy in place.

Kaspa's Desserts, 385 North End Road, London SW6 1NP

The committee rejected an application for a new premises licence for Kaspa's Desserts, 385 North End Road, London SW6 1NP. The application sought permission for late night refreshment indoors and outdoors.

Matt Tucker, the interim licensing policy and administration team leader, clarified that the applicant originally applied for late-night refreshment until 05:00, but had since revised the hours to 03:00, with closing to the public at midnight, to allow for deliveries. He noted that the applicant had agreed additional conditions with the police. Tucker also drew attention to correspondence indicating that the applicant may have been continuing to undertake late night refreshment, despite not having a licence in place.

Councillor Lydia Painter, councillor for Lily Ward, objected to the application, citing concerns about noise and disturbance from delivery drivers in the primarily residential area. She also raised concerns about the applicant's previous unlicensed activity.

Jan Prezet, a resident of North End Road, expressed concerns about noise and disturbance from delivery riders and the public, as well as additional criminality.

Charlotte Dexter, speaking on behalf of herself and other residents, said that North End Road was built for daytime commercial activity and nighttime winding down, and that there was no nighttime strategy for the road. She also raised concerns about the applicant's failure to grasp the gravitas of the situation, and the fact that they had continued to trade after being warned not to.

John Scalding, speaking on behalf of himself and other residents, said that the hours being applied for were in excess of the times stated for takeaways in the licensing policy, and that the application stood out like a sore thumb compared to other takeaways in the area. He added that the conditions agreed with the police were nothing unusual, and that they did not add anything to the quality of the application.

Sarah Chambers, chair of Will and Green Ward Panel, said that the premises was in the official designated crime hotspot for Fulham, and that having a place open to delivery drivers until 3am would exacerbate the issue.

Miranda Gilpin said that the applicant had not addressed any of the licensing objectives in their original application, and that they shouldn't even be able to have a licence because their planning was wrong.

Graham Saltmarsh objected on the grounds of safety and noise nuisance, saying that there had been instances of urination and other bodily functions in gardens from delivery drivers, and that his daughter felt unsafe due to lewd comments from delivery drivers.

Muhammad Ali, a director of Kaspa's, said that most Kaspa's in southwest London operate until 3am, and that the website timing showed closing at midnight because they are allowed to have cold items served between 11pm and midnight. He added that after 11pm, they don't cook any hot items, but instead pre-make them and keep them in a hot station. Ali also said that they have a dedicated window for deliveries after midnight, and that they have procedures in place to ensure that there is no disturbance to local residents.

Councillor Stanton asked Tucker for clarification on a few points, including whether it was okay for the applicant to serve cold food between the hours of 11pm and midnight. Tucker confirmed that it was, and that the only restriction would be whether they have planning permission to do so.

Councillor Walsh asked Ali about staff training, and Ali responded that they train their staff in health and safety, how to handle fights, and the procedures for deliveries. He added that they have notices on their shop asking customers to be silent, and that they are changing to deliveries only after midnight.

Councillor Nimmo asked Ali about deliveries, and Ali said that once an order is ready, they press a button and the Uber delivery algorithm informs the nearest driver to come and collect the item. He added that they have a busy mode on their tablets, so that they can pause orders if they are too busy.

The committee rejected the application, citing concerns about public nuisance and the impact on the residential area.