The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider four licensing applications. These included variations for premises licences at 58-60 Lupus Street and Penelopes on Russell Street, as well as new premises licences for 26-29 Drury Lane and 136 Shaftesbury Avenue. The committee was also scheduled to receive updates on membership and any declarations of interest.

Licensing Applications for Determination

The committee was scheduled to review four applications for premises licences.

58-60 Lupus Street, SW1V 3EE

This application concerned a premises licence variation for 58-60 Lupus Street in the Pimlico North ward. The application reference number is 23/08600/LIPV. The site is not within a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) or a Special Consideration Zone (SCZ).

26-29 Drury Lane, WC2B 5RL

A new premises licence was scheduled for consideration at 26-29 Drury Lane in the St James's ward. This location is within the East Covent Garden CIA and is designated as an SCZ. The licensing reference number for this application is 23/08873/LIPN.

Penelopes, Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, WC2B 5HA

The committee was set to discuss a premises licence variation for Penelopes, located at Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street. This application, reference 23/08842/LIPV, is in the St James's ward and falls within the East Covent Garden CIA and is designated as an SCZ.

136 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EZ

This item involved a new premises licence application for 136 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EZ. The site is in the St James's ward, within the West End CIA, but not an SCZ. The licensing reference number is 23/09175/LIPN.

Policy and Guidance Considerations

In considering these applications, the Licensing Sub-Committee was advised to have regard to the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy, which has been in effect since January 2021. Additionally, the committee was to consider guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, with the most recent version published in April 2018.

The report pack also outlined the core hours during which customers are permitted to be on licensed premises, as defined by the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021. These core hours vary depending on the type of venue, with specific times listed for casinos, cinemas, hotels, off-licences, outdoor spaces, pubs and bars, fast food and music and dance venues, qualifying clubs, restaurants, and sexual entertainment venues. For applications including Late Night Refreshment, the starting time for that specific licensable activity is 11:00 pm.