The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 18 April 2024 to consider applications for new premises licences and variations to existing licences. The committee granted a new premises licence for Jouri, a Lebanese restaurant on Edgware Road, and granted a variation to the premises licence for Merkur Cashino on Edgware Road, allowing for extended operating hours.

Merkur Cashino, 182-184 Edgware Road, London W2 2DS

The committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for Merkur Cashino, an adult gaming centre, to extend its operating hours from 02:00 to 06:00 daily. The application was met with significant opposition from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police, and several residents' associations and local residents.

Concerns raised by objectors included the potential for increased crime and anti-social behaviour due to the extended hours, particularly given the premises' location within the Paddington (South) Vulnerability Zone. Specific worries included the potential for drug dealing, urination, prostitution, and harm to vulnerable individuals. Concerns were also raised about the premises not appearing to be primarily a bingo venue, with a predominance of gaming machines, and the potential for this to attract a more vulnerable demographic during the extended hours. The Metropolitan Police also highlighted that the proposed extension would make the premises one of the few open in the area during those hours, potentially attracting anti-social behaviour.

The applicant, Merkur Slots UK Limited, argued that they were a highly experienced operator with an unblemished regulatory record. They presented extensive evidence, including independent expert reports, detailing their robust social responsibility policies, staff training, and security measures, such as CCTV, magnetic door locks, and SIA-licensed door supervisors. They contended that their existing systems were more than adequate to mitigate any risks associated with extended hours and that the proposed additional conditions further strengthened these measures. The applicant also highlighted that two nearby adult gaming centres already operated 24-hour licences without conditions and had not faced reviews.

After considering all representations and evidence, the committee decided to grant the application to extend the operating hours to 06:00 daily. Councillor Louise Hyams voted to refuse the application. The decision was based on the committee's satisfaction that the applicant had demonstrated sufficient reasons and mitigations to satisfy the licensing objectives, and that the proposed operation would be reasonably consistent with the licensing objectives. A significant number of additional conditions were imposed on the licence, including the mandatory presence of an SIA-licensed door supervisor from 18:00 to 06:00 daily, minimum staffing levels, regular contact with the licensing authority and police, and a commitment to organise meetings with residents' associations.

Jouri, 71 Edgware Road, London W2 2HZ

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Jouri, a Lebanese restaurant. The applicant sought permission for late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00 on Mondays to Sundays, and for the premises to be open to the public from 09:00 to 01:30 daily, with Sunday hours to close at 00:30.

Representations were received from the Planning Authority, the Metropolitan Police, and three residents. The Metropolitan Police expressed concerns that the requested late-night refreshment hours could undermine the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder, noting that the hours fell outside the core hours for such premises and that the location was within the Edgware Road Special Consideration Zone. A resident objected on the grounds of existing anti-social behaviour and noise in the area, stating their flat was above the restaurant.

The Planning Authority highlighted that while the premises had a lawful Class E use as a restaurant, a previous planning appeal had imposed a condition restricting opening hours to between 09:00 and midnight. A subsequent attempt to vary these hours had been refused and dismissed on appeal due to harm to amenity. Therefore, there was no lawful planning permission to open until 01:00, and any such variation would require a separate planning application.

During submissions, the applicant's manager stated that the restaurant had been operating since July 2023 without issues or complaints. They had invested significantly in refurbishing the restaurant and had implemented a double filter system to prevent odours. The applicant agreed to several conditions, including limiting outside seating to a maximum of eight chairs and not using outside tables after 23:00, and also agreed to withdraw the seasonal variations/non-standard timings. They also agreed to the council's model condition for a publicly available direct telephone number for the manager.

The committee decided to grant the application with modified hours. Late night refreshments will be permitted from Monday to Saturdays between 23:00 and 01:00, and on Sundays from 23:00 to 00:00. The premises will be open to the public from Monday to Sundays between 09:00 and 01:30, with Sunday hours closing at 00:30. A number of conditions were attached to the licence, consistent with the operating schedule and agreed as appropriate, including comprehensive CCTV requirements, an incident log, restrictions on outside seating and noise, and a requirement for a direct telephone number for the manager.

Damascus Bride, 367-369 Edgware Road, W2 1BS

This item was listed on the agenda but no decision or discussion details were provided in the minutes.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Robert Eagleton (Chair), Councillor Iman Less, and Councillor Louise Hyams.