The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider two licensing applications. The first involved a new premises licence for Taco Bell on Baker Street, which attracted numerous objections from residents and authorities. The second item concerned a review of the premises licence for Strand News on the Strand, initiated by the Home Office due to concerns about illegal working.

Taco Bell, 187 Baker Street, London, NW1 6UY

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Taco Bell, located at 187 Baker Street, London, NW1 6UY. The applicant, Karali QSR Limited, sought to operate as a fast-food restaurant with proposed licensable activities including late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 04:00, Monday to Sunday, and premises opening hours from 10:00 to 04:00 daily.

The application generated significant opposition. The Metropolitan Police Service objected on the grounds of undermining the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. They highlighted concerns about delivery riders congregating in the area, leading to anti-social behaviour and criminality, and noted that the requested hours extended beyond Westminster Council's core hours policy for fast-food venues.

Numerous objections were also received from local residents and residents' associations. Concerns raised included potential increases in drunken behaviour, noise pollution from late-night gatherings of delivery drivers, public urination, and an overall negative impact on the residential character and safety of the neighbourhood. Specific issues mentioned were the congregation of drivers, playing loud music, littering, and intimidating behaviour. Several objectors referenced the cumulative impact of existing late-night fast-food trading in the area and the potential for this application to set a precedent for other establishments.

The Environmental Health Service also made representations, raising concerns about the proposed hours exceeding core hours and the potential for public nuisance. They proposed a series of conditions to mitigate noise, fumes, and odours, and to regulate waste management and deliveries.

The applicant's submitted Home Delivery Policy outlined measures to manage delivery operations, including drivers waiting inside the premises and using electric or pedal vehicles after 23:00. However, objectors questioned the effectiveness of these measures in preventing wider issues caused by delivery riders.

The report pack included details of the premises' licence history, which showed a previous licence surrendered in March 2021. It also detailed the proposed licensable activities and hours, along with extensive representations from responsible authorities and other persons.

Strand News, 145 Strand, London, WC2R 1JA

The committee was scheduled to consider a review of the premises licence for Strand News, located at 145 Strand, London, WC2R 1JA. The application for review was submitted by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team (IELCT) on the grounds that the licence holder had failed to uphold the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder, specifically relating to illegal working at the premises.

The report detailed two enforcement visits by Immigration Enforcement officers on 06 March 2025 and 18 March 2025. During these visits, individuals were found working at the premises who did not have the legal right to work in the UK. One individual, who had overstayed their visa, admitted to working at the premises for approximately six months and selling alcohol without knowledge of licensing requirements. Another individual, who was also an overstayer, was found to be managing the shop and receiving cash payments without paying taxes. Both individuals were arrested.

The report highlighted that the licence holder, NN (UK) Limited, had failed to conduct right-to-work checks on employees. The company had been issued with significant civil penalties for employing illegal workers. Concerns were also raised about management absence, with the licence holder reportedly in India and uncontactable during visits, leading to the premises being closed due to a lack of staff.

Further issues identified included a blocked fire exit, posing a public safety risk, and the sale of non-compliant vape products. The report noted that a pending application to transfer the premises licence to Mr Dinesh Chhaganbhai Patel, a director of NN (UK) LIMITED, had received objections from the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office.

The Metropolitan Police Service supported the review, citing concerns about the day-to-day management of the premises and the failure to conduct right-to-work checks. The Environmental Health Service also indicated their support for the review.

The report outlined the potential powers of the Licensing Sub-Committee in determining a review, which include modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the Designated Premises Supervisor, suspending the licence, or revoking the licence. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement specifically requested the revocation of the premises licence.

The premises licence, originally granted in 2005, authorises the playing of recorded music, private entertainment, and the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. The report included details of the licence history, representations from responsible authorities, and a map of the vicinity showing nearby residential properties and other licensed premises.