The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council scheduled a meeting to discuss three premises licence applications. The first two applications concerned requests to vary existing licenses, and the third was for a new premises licence. The sub-committee was scheduled to consider the City of Westminster statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Licensing Application for The Bar at Temple

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a variation to the premises licence for The Bar at Temple at Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment. Capital Pleasure Boats Ltd, the applicant, requested to extend the licensable area to include part of the dock where the vessel is permanently moored, to add the provision for sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises, and to increase the permitted capacity from 200 to 300 guests.

According to the agenda, the proposed variation to condition 30 was:

Customers shall not be permitted to leave the premises with open drinks, save for consumption in an external area of the premises allocated for that purpose, or for consumption onboard vessels which are under the control of the premises licence holder or any connected, associated or authorised companies or individuals.

PC Thomas Cooke of the Metropolitan Police Service initially objected to the application, but withdrew the objection after discussions with the applicant. Environmental Health also raised a representation, citing concerns that the proposed variation may undermine the licensing objectives of Public Safety and Prevention of Public Nuisance. Environmental Health requested further information on how the increase in capacity would be managed, provision of sanitary accommodations, and prevention of nuisance from amplified music.

An interested party also objected to the application, raising concerns about noise nuisance, public safety, and failure to obtain planning permission for a change of use prior to conducting licensable activities on the pier. The interested party suggested a number of conditions to be added to the licence, including that no amplified music should be played on the pontoon itself at any time, and that no bar or mobile bar should be set up on the pontoon itself for the sale of alcohol.

The applicant proposed additional conditions, including that, save for New Year's Eve, no regulated live or recorded music should be played on the pier after 23:00, and that the premises should ensure a walkway is maintained along the pier to ensure that passengers can embark and disembark on/from other vessels operated by the Premises Licence holder.

Licensing Application for Damascuse Bridet

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for Damascuse Bridet at 367-369 Edgware Road. Damascusebridet Ltd, the applicant, requested to extend the terminal hours for late night refreshment Monday to Saturday to 02:00 and add late night refreshment on Sundays from 23:00 to 02:00.

Ayesha Bolton from Environmental Health Services, Mohamad Afzi from the Licensing Authority (Enforcement), and several other persons objected to the application. The Licensing Authority representative raised concerns regarding the continued non-compliance of Damascus Bride with the condition outlined in their licence, specifically in relation to the operation of the CCTV system. Other objections cited concerns about noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour.

Licensing Application for Lovemacun

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Lovemacun at Basement and Ground Floor, 54 - 55 Wilton Road. Mr Berat Serkan Yildirim, the applicant, was seeking permission to supply alcohol on the premises only, from 12:00 to 22:30, Monday to Sunday.

Fabiola Kaoadio from Environmental Health Services and Reaz Guerra from the Metropolitan Police Service initially objected to the application, but withdrew their objections after the applicant agreed to further conditions. One other person objected to the application, citing concerns about anti-social behaviour and noise at night.