The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) meeting was scheduled to consider three licensing applications for premises located at 30 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SA. These applications included a new shadow premises licence, a review of an existing premises licence, and an application for the revocation of a Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence.

Licensing Applications for Determination

1. Basement to First Floor, 30 Dean Street, W1D 3SA - New Shadow Premises Licence

The committee was scheduled to consider a new shadow premises licence application for the premises at 30 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SA. This application was made by Soho Estates Limited and was intended to mirror the terms, conditions, and plans of the existing premises licence (23/04998/LIPV). The premises currently operates as a bar and striptease establishment.

The report pack detailed the proposed licensable activities and hours, which included live and recorded music, provision of facilities for music and dancing, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol. The hours for these activities extended into the early morning hours, with alcohol sales permitted until 1:00 am on most days and premises opening hours until 1:30 am.

Significant representations were received from responsible authorities and interested parties. The Licensing Authority raised concerns regarding public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. They noted that the current premises licence was under review by the Metropolitan Police Service and that an application to revoke the SEV licence was also to be determined. Environmental Health also raised concerns about potential increases in public nuisance and impacts on public safety. The Metropolitan Police Service objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, citing the ongoing review of the premises licence. The Soho Society lodged an objection, expressing concerns about the premises' recent history, breaches of conditions, and the impact on the cumulative impact zone. They proposed a specific condition for the shadow licence to not take effect while the current licence is operational, lapsed, surrendered, or revoked.

The report also outlined relevant policies from the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, including Policy CIP1 concerning the West End Cumulative Impact Zone, Policy HRS1 regarding core hours, and Policy SCEV1 for Sexual Entertainment Venues.

2. Sunset Strip, Basement to First Floor, 30 Dean Street, W1D 3SA - Premises Licence Review

The committee was scheduled to consider a review of the premises licence for Sunset Strip, located at 30 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SA. This review was initiated by the Metropolitan Police Service on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and prevention of public nuisance.

The application for review highlighted numerous alleged breaches of the venue's premises licence conditions, including issues with CCTV, the absence of a Personal Licence holder on site, and insufficient security staff. Witness statements from PC Steve Muldoon, PC Reaz Guerra, and James Hayes of Westminster City Council detailed repeated breaches of licence conditions, particularly concerning the no touching rule within the SEV licence and premises licence, inadequate CCTV operation, and insufficient SIA-licensed door staff. The Metropolitan Police Service was seeking the revocation of the licence.

Representations in support of the review were received from the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health Service, and two interested parties, including the Soho Society. The Licensing Authority supported the police's request for revocation, citing the licence holder's unsuitability due to persistent breaches. Environmental Health also supported the review, citing potential undermining of public safety.

The report detailed the powers available to the Licensing Sub-Committee in determining a review, which included modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence, or revoking the licence.

3. Sunset Strip, Basement to First Floor, 30 Dean Street, W1D 3SA - SEV Licence Revocation

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application by the Westminster Licensing Authority to revoke the Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence for Sunset Strip, located at 30 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SA. This application was made on the grounds that the licence holder is unsuitable to hold the licence, as per paragraph 12(3)(a) of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

The application for revocation stemmed from alleged repeated breaches of licence conditions, including physical contact between performers and customers, and issues with the CCTV system. Witness statements from police and council officers detailed numerous alleged breaches of both the SEV licence and the premises licence conditions. The Licensing Authority supported the revocation, stating that the licence holder had shown little regard for promoting the licensing objectives and was unwilling or unable to comply with licence conditions.

The report outlined the powers of the appropriate authority to revoke an SEV licence and noted that a licence holder disqualified from holding a licence in the area for twelve months following revocation. The SEV licence permitted relevant entertainment, including table dancing and pole dancing involving nudity, with operating hours from 9:00 am to 1:00 am Monday to Saturday, and 9:00 am to 11:00 pm on Sundays.

The report also included a history of previous SEV licence applications and renewals for the premises, highlighting previous objections and concerns raised by the Licensing Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service regarding breaches of conditions, particularly the no touching rule and CCTV issues. The decision letter from a previous renewal hearing on 23 November 2023 indicated that it was a close decision and that serious consideration was given to refusing the application.