The Licensing Sub-Committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea met on Thursday 2 July 2026 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Daniel's Sushi Bar 2 Ltd, located at 65 Lower Sloane Street. The committee decided to grant the variation, extending the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshments, with specific conditions attached.

Variation of Premises Licence for Daniel's Sushi Bar

The primary focus of the meeting was an application by Daniel's Sushi Bar 2 Ltd to vary its premises licence. The proposed changes included extending the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol and the playing of recorded music on Fridays and Saturdays from 23:00 to 04:00 the following day, and extending overall opening hours to 04:30 on those days. The application also sought to amend Condition 14, which currently restricts alcohol sales to table meals after 20:00, and Condition 16, relating to staff training.

Decision: The committee decided to grant the variation of the premises licence.

Arguments For: The applicant, represented by Asif Naziri, Operations Manager, argued that the extension of hours was necessary for the commercial viability of the business, particularly at weekends. They highlighted that the premises operated as a small-scale, seated venue with table service only, a maximum capacity of 18 customers (with an expectation of only 50% occupancy), no vertical drinking, no off-sales, and a senior member of staff present at all times. These factors, they contended, significantly limited potential impact on the surrounding area. The applicant also noted that their experience operating under Temporary Event Notices (TENs) until similar hours had not resulted in complaints, noise issues, or disorder, demonstrating the low-impact nature of the operation. They also proposed an amendment to Condition 16 to include conflict management training for staff, which was agreed with the Metropolitan Police.

Arguments Against: Representations were made by Mr. Matt McIlroy, Principal Noise and Nuisance Officer for Environmental Health, and by Graham Huntley, a local resident. Mr. McIlroy expressed concerns that the operation of the premises as a drinks-only establishment from 23:00 to 04:00, coupled with the external management and dispersal of patrons, could lead to noise nuisance for nearby residents. He noted that the proposed 04:00 terminal hour was very late for the locality and suggested a 01:00 terminal hour as a more appropriate compromise, or a 12-month time-limited permission if the full hours were granted. Mr. Huntley objected on the grounds that the application was contrary to the council's midnight policy and would allow patrons to drink until 04:00 and leave by 04:30, in close proximity to residential properties. He argued this would lead to an increase in public nuisance and alcohol-fuelled noise, and that the cumulative impact of late-night premises had not been adequately addressed. He also pointed out that the proposed conditions would not adequately mitigate the noise and disturbance caused by patrons leaving late at night.

Conditions Imposed: The committee granted the variation with several conditions:

• Amended Condition 14: Between 10:00 and 23:00 daily, the sale of alcohol shall be ancillary to a table meal. On Fridays and Saturdays between 23:00 and 04:00, alcohol may be sold without a table meal, provided that:
  1. The sale and supply of alcohol is by waiter/waitress service only.
  2. All customers must be seated at tables.
• Amended Condition 16: The licensee shall provide induction and refresher training to staff on their obligations under the Licensing Act 2003, including conflict management and company policy. Records of this training must be kept and made available for inspection.
• Dispersal and External Management Plan: A plan detailing procedures and controls to manage patrons entering and leaving the premises and to control noise generated by them must be submitted to Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, and the Metropolitan Police for consultation. Any recommendations from these bodies must be incorporated, and the plan must be implemented and complied with at all times.
• Sound Limiting Device: All music, live and recorded, must be relayed through a sound limiting device, linked to a graphic equaliser and set at a level that will not cause nuisance to neighbouring residents. This device must not be overridden.
• No Independent Sound Systems: No independent sound systems shall be brought onto the premises for entertainment.
• No entry after 02:30: No new entry to the premises shall be permitted after 02:30 hours on Fridays and Saturdays to allow for a gradual wind-down period.
• External Doors and Windows: All external doors and windows shall be kept closed after 23:00 hours, except for immediate access and egress.
• Patron Dispersal Notices: Clear notices shall be displayed at exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and leave the area quietly. Staff will actively manage patron departures to ensure they disperse quietly.
• No persons under 18 after 23:00: No persons under the age of 18 shall be permitted on the premises after 23:00 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

The committee noted that the planning department had no objections but advised the operator not to use the outdoor area outside the hours stipulated in planning permission reference PP/13/04594, which requires outdoor tables and chairs to be removed by 23:00.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Greg Hammond, Chair of the Licensing Committee, with Councillor Preety Hudd, Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, also in attendance. The meeting was held in public at Kensington Town Hall.