The Licensing Sub-Committee of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Thursday, 2 July 2026. The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application to vary the premises licence for Ladbroke Hall, located at 79 Barlby Road, London, W10 6AZ. The meeting was scheduled to consider whether to grant this variation and what conditions, if any, should be attached to the licence.

Application to Vary Premises Licence at Ladbroke Hall

The meeting was scheduled to consider an application by Sunbeam Photographic Limited to vary the premises licence for Ladbroke Hall. The proposed variation sought to extend the hours for various licensable activities, including the performance of plays, exhibition of films, sale of alcohol, performance of live and recorded music, performance of dance, and provision of late-night refreshments.

Under the current licence, most licensable activities are permitted until 11:00 PM, with limited exceptions for up to 40 occasions per year allowing extensions until midnight. The proposed variation sought to extend these hours to 1:30 AM from Sunday to Thursday and to 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, the application aimed to remove a condition limiting the total number of days with extended hours to 40 per year. Special provisions for New Year's Eve and the transition to British Summer Time were also part of the application.

The application also proposed to remove existing condition 17, which limited the number of days licensable activities could be extended to 24:00 to 40 per year.

The report pack indicated that the applicant, Sunbeam Photographic Limited, had volunteered steps to promote the licensing objectives, stating that the conditions attached to the current licence already addressed these objectives.

However, the licensing authority had received five representations opposing the application. These objections, primarily from local residents, raised concerns regarding:

• Noise and Disturbance: Residents reported existing issues with noise from music, patrons, and vehicles, and feared a significant detrimental impact from extended hours, particularly affecting families, children, and elderly residents.
• Parking and Congestion: Concerns were raised about increased vehicle activity, congestion, and disturbance from cars stopping, waiting, or idling.
• Crime and Disorder: Residents reported instances of antisocial behaviour, congregating groups, aggressive behaviour, and suspected drug use, suggesting current security arrangements were inadequate.
• Public Safety: Fears were expressed about potential overcrowding, obstruction of access routes, and difficulties with crowd control and emergency evacuations.
• Protection of Children from Harm: Concerns were raised about children being exposed to loud noise, aggressive behaviour, intoxicated individuals, and litter.

The report also noted that the planning department had not made a formal representation but highlighted an ongoing enforcement case for breaches of a planning condition restricting restaurant use beyond 11:00 PM. There was also an outstanding planning application to extend these restaurant hours to 2:00 AM.

The report outlined the steps the committee could take, including granting the application in full, modifying the conditions, or rejecting the application, all with the aim of promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The committee was advised to have regard to the Secretary of State's Guidance and the council's own Statement of Licensing Policy.

The meeting was scheduled to be held in public in the Council Chamber at Kensington Town Hall.