The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met on Thursday 14 March 2024 to consider several licensing applications. Decisions were made regarding new premises licences for the Grand Hotel Bellevue London and Knightsbridge Sky Garden, as well as variations to premises licences for Boom Battle Bar and the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Grand Hotel Bellevue London, 25-27 Norfolk Square, W2 1RX

The committee granted a new premises licence for the Grand Hotel Bellevue London. The application, initially seeking hours outside Westminster's core hours, was amended following discussions with objectors. The hotel, located in the Hyde Park ward, will operate with conditions ensuring licensable activities are ancillary to its primary function as a hotel. These conditions include restrictions on public access to the bar, pre-booking requirements for basement events, and specific hours for late-night refreshment and alcohol sales. The sale of alcohol for consumption in hotel rooms will be permitted 24 hours a day.

Knightsbridge Sky Garden, 12 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X 7QL

A new premises licence was granted to Knightsbridge Sky Garden, intended to operate as a restaurant. Despite initial objections from two local residents concerning potential noise and public nuisance, the committee decided to grant the licence. The decision was influenced by the fact that no responsible authorities objected and that agreed conditions would ensure the premises operated as a restaurant. These conditions include limitations on noise, dispersal policies, and the prohibition of outdoor seating. The restaurant will be permitted to serve late-night refreshment until 23:30 Monday to Saturday and sell alcohol until 23:30 Monday to Saturday and 23:00 on Sundays. Recorded music will be permitted during the premises' opening hours, which are until 23:30 Monday to Saturday and 23:00 on Sundays.

Boom Battle Bar, 70-88 Oxford Street, W1D 1BP

The committee granted a variation to the premises licence for Boom Battle Bar. The variation allows for an extension of terminal hours to 02:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for most licensable activities, excluding live music. This decision was made despite representations from the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health Service due to the premises' location within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The committee was satisfied that the nature of the venue as a competitive socialising space, rather than a purely alcohol-led establishment, along with robust proposed conditions, would prevent an increase in cumulative impact. These conditions include specific SIA door supervisor ratios, a last entry time of 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, toilet inspections to prevent drug misuse, enhanced CCTV, and a wind-down policy. The premises' capacity will be capped at 425 persons between 23:30 and 02:00 on Thursdays and from 00:00 to 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Prince of Wales Theatre, 31 Coventry Street, W1D 6AS

The committee granted a variation to the premises licence for the Prince of Wales Theatre. The variation allows for an extension of licensable activities until 01:00 in the basement (Delfont Room) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This decision was made after considering the theatre's status as a cultural venue, which is generally viewed as low risk under Westminster's licensing policy. Representations from the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health, and the Metropolitan Police, primarily concerning cumulative impact within the West End CIZ, were addressed through the imposition of specific conditions. These conditions ensure that alcohol sales in the basement are ancillary to performances, limit the number of people in the basement during the extended hours, mandate SIA door supervisors, and require a dispersal policy. The extended hours will not apply to private, pre-booked events without live entertainment.