The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider two licensing applications. The first application was for a variation to the premises licence for Pizza Hut Delivery at 113 Lupus Street, London, SW1V 3EN, concerning extended hours for late-night refreshment. The second, more substantial item, was an application for a new premises licence for The Lady at 39-40 Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ER, proposing a restaurant with an ancillary bar.

Pizza Hut Delivery, 113 Lupus Street, London, SW1V 3EN

The committee was scheduled to discuss a variation to the premises licence for Pizza Hut Delivery at 113 Lupus Street, London, SW1V 3EN. The application sought to extend the hours for late-night refreshment from the current hours of 23:00 to 00:00 (Sunday to Thursday) and 23:00 to 00:30 (Friday and Saturday) to 23:00 to 05:00, Monday to Sunday. Following consultation, the applicant amended the proposed terminal hour for late-night refreshment and closing time to 02:00. The premises opening hours to the public were proposed to be 11:00 to 02:00, Monday to Sunday.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health, both raising objections. The police objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, stating that the premises being open throughout the night in a residential area could become a gathering point and cause issues for local residents. Environmental Health also made representations, though the specific grounds were not detailed in the provided documents.

Additionally, three objections were received from Other Persons (residents). These objections primarily cited concerns related to the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Residents expressed worries about noise from delivery drivers and customers, potential anti-social behaviour, and the impact on the residential nature of the area. One resident specifically mentioned an identical application being rejected previously.

The report pack outlined the relevant policies from the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, including Policy HRS1 concerning core hours and Policy FFP1(A) relating to fast food premises.

The Lady, 39-40 Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ER

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for The Lady at 39-40 Bedford Street, London, WC2E 9ER. The application proposed a new premises licence for a restaurant with an ancillary bar. The proposed licensable activities included the sale of alcohol (on-sales only), late-night refreshment, and recorded music, all within core hours. The proposed opening hours for the premises were Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 23:30, Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to 00:00, and Sunday from 09:00 to 22:30.

The application was situated within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) and the West End Special Consideration Zone. Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police, Environmental Health, and the Licensing Authority itself. The police objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, noting the premises' location within a cumulative impact zone already experiencing high rates of violence, robbery, and public order offences. Environmental Health raised concerns regarding the prevention of public nuisance and public safety, questioning the justification for a pub operation within the CIZ. The Licensing Authority expressed concerns about the promotion of all four licensing objectives, particularly noting that the proposed capacity of 450, with only 250 allocated for dining, suggested the ground floor could operate as a substantial vertical drinking bar, potentially falling under the Pubs and Bars policy (PB1) rather than the Restaurants policy (RNT1).

Numerous representations were also received from Other Persons. The Covent Garden Community Association (CGCA) objected, believing the ground floor operation should be considered a pub and subject to Policy PB1. They requested additional conditions, including the adoption of new model conditions, closing doors and windows after 21:00, and conditions related to odours and fumes. They also proposed restrictions on the ground floor capacity to 100 people, restricting new customer entry in the last 30 minutes of licensable activities, and managing queues. A significant concern raised by the CGCA and several residents was the potential for noise emanating from the premises, visual intrusion from windows, and the use of the roof terrace. Some residents also expressed concerns about the impact on privacy and light control.

Conversely, several representations were in support of the application. The London Heritage Quarter (LHQ), representing several Business Improvement Districts, offered observations and noted the importance of balancing commercial and residential needs. They supported the application in principle but suggested considerations regarding the sale of alcohol, extended hours for late-night refreshment, and the timing of recorded music. The Director of The Royal Ballet and a Restaurant Critic for The Times both wrote in strong support, highlighting the positive cultural and economic contributions of similar venues operated by the applicant, such as The Devonshire. Several local residents also expressed support, noting the positive impact of Shaftesbury Capital's stewardship of the area and the need for high-quality venues.

The report pack included extensive policy considerations, including Policy CIP1 (Cumulative Impact Policy), Policy HRS1 (Core Hours), and Policy PB1 (Pubs and Bars), all relevant to applications within the West End CIZ. The applicant had submitted a comprehensive set of proposed conditions, a dispersal policy, and an independent licensing impact assessment report by Alistair Turnham of MAKE Associates, which concluded that the proposed venue would promote the licensing objectives and not add to cumulative impact. An acoustic report by Sandy Brown also provided recommendations for secondary glazing to mitigate noise transfer.