The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 28 May 2026 to consider two licensing applications. The committee was scheduled to discuss a premises licence variation for The Groucho Club and a new premises licence application for Maison Close.

The Groucho Club, 44-45 Dean Street, London, W1D 4QB

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for The Groucho Club[^1]. The application sought to regularise the capacity and hours for all licensable activities across the premises. Specifically, it proposed a consistent capacity of 300 people (excluding staff) and a terminal hour of 2:00 AM, with 24-hour access for residents and their guests. The application also aimed to regularise the closing hour to 2:30 AM.

Representations were received from Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, and The Soho Society. Environmental Health raised concerns that the proposed variations in hours for the supply of alcohol and late-night refreshment, as well as the increased capacity after midnight, could lead to an increase in public nuisance within the West End Cumulative Impact Area[^2]. The Licensing Authority also expressed concerns regarding the promotion of the licensing objectives, particularly public nuisance and prevention of crime and disorder, noting that the requested hours exceeded Westminster's core hours and that the premises were located within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The Soho Society lodged an objection, arguing that the application would fail to promote the licensing objectives and would increase cumulative impact within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. They highlighted the high concentration of licensed premises in the area and the significant noise levels recorded on Dean Street, as well as crime statistics indicating a high incidence of violence, robbery, theft, and sexual offences in the West End.

The committee was also to consider the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy, specifically policies CIP1 (Cumulative Impact Policy) and HRS1 (Hours Policy), as well as PB1 (Pubs and Bars Policy).

Maison Close, 9 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4DE

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Maison Close, which currently operates as a nightclub. The application sought to extend licensable activities, including live music, recorded music, performance of dance, and similar descriptions, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily. Late night refreshment was requested from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM, and the supply of alcohol (on and off-sales) from 12:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily. The application also included non-standard timings to permit the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment until 6:30 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays of bank holiday weekends, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and All Saints' Days, with a terminal hour on New Year's Eve extending to New Year's Day as proposed. The premises would be open to the public from 12:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily.

Representations were received from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, and Environmental Health Service. The Licensing Authority noted that the requested hours exceeded Westminster's core hours and that alcohol was not proposed to be ancillary to food. Concerns were raised about the potential for public nuisance and the impact on crime and disorder, particularly given the premises' location within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The Metropolitan Police Service objected to the application, stating that if granted, it would undermine the licensing objectives due to the premises being located within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone and seeking hours beyond Westminster's core hours policy. Environmental Health Service also made a representation, indicating that the provision of regulated entertainment, late night refreshment, and the supply of alcohol, along with the requested hours, would likely increase public nuisance and potentially impact public safety.

The committee was to consider the City of Westminster's Statement of Licensing Policy, including policies CIP1, HRS1, PB1, and MD1 (Music and Dance Policy).