The Licensing Panel E of Camden Council scheduled a meeting to agree on procedure rules for remote meetings and to consider an application for a new premises licence. The meeting was also scheduled to cover standard agenda items such as the election of a chair, apologies, declarations of interest, announcements, notification of urgent business, and approval of minutes from the previous meeting.

Magical Mystery, 135-149 Shaftesbury Avenue

The Licensing Panel was scheduled to review an application for a new premises licence for Magical Mystery, located at 135-149 Shaftesbury Avenue in the Holborn and Covent Garden ward. The applicant, Magical Mystery Ltd, sought to license the premises for:

• Regulated entertainment, including plays, films, live music, recorded music, performances of dance, and similar activities, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday to Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM Thursday to Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 12:30 AM on Sunday.
• Late night refreshment from 11:00 PM to 1:00 AM Monday to Wednesday, 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM Thursday to Saturday, and 11:00 PM to 12:30 AM on Sunday.
• Supply of alcohol (on the premises) from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday to Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM Thursday to Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 12:30 AM on Sunday.
• Opening hours from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM Monday to Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 AM Thursday to Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 12:30 AM on Sunday.

The report pack included a summary of proposals from Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP, solicitors for the applicant, stating that Magical Mystery Ltd planned to operate the premises on a time limited basis to develop a new model for building communities inside cultural spaces. The report pack stated that the applicant intended to provide licensable activities alongside a multi-dimensional programme of thought provoking and pioneering entertainment that promotes creativity, arts and culture. The report pack stated that cameras and mobile phones would not be permitted to a significant proportion of events and activations to help stimulate an authentic and deeper connection with the immersive experiences and cutting-edge entertainment shared with fellow audience members. The report pack stated that there would be no evening and nighttime access to general members of the public arriving on the night, and that audience members would be subscribers to the applicant's Magical Mystery community.

The report pack noted that the premises is located in the Seven Dials cumulative impact policy area where there is a presumption to refuse all new or variation applications.

The report pack stated that 52 relevant representations had been received, with 15 opposing the application, including one from a Responsible Authority for Licensing, one from a Resident Association, and 14 from residents, and 34 representations supporting the application from residents and professionals.

The report pack included a statement of stakeholder engagement, reporting that City Halo had been contracted to design and execute a stakeholder engagement program to reach out to local residents. The report pack stated that City Halo had invited 24 hyperlocal residents and volunteers from The Phoenix Gardens to a mystery show at the venue, and that 19 had attended.

The report pack included a noise impact assessment from Big Sky Acoustics Ltd, concluding that:

• The public nuisance guidance in Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy has been considered and addressed.
• All noise from activity inside the building is contained by the building envelope and additionally sound systems will use high-quality professional products and will be set so that maximum sound level is not exceeded.
• The operation of a community arts, music and cultural events venue at this location would not result in an increase to average noise levels in the area around the application site.

The report pack included a premises management plan, stating that Magical Mystery Ltd have thought carefully about how to address fire detection and firefighting inside the premises in particular, and that a fire safety specialist has been instructed to conduct a full survey and fire plan which will be available for inspection upon completion.

The report pack included copies of letters from Michiko Harris, Jane PalmGold, Ryan Heng, Amanda Rigby, and David Kaner objecting to the application, and copies of letters from Bella Grace Rigg, Christian Mock, Emma Vye, Dan Phillips, Layo Paskin, Justine Vaughan, Oliwia Bienkowska, Albert Schilcher, Sophia Amoruso, Kwame Rose, and Michael Kill supporting the application. The report pack also included a letter from Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, encouraging Camden Council to support the application.

Guidance on Remote Meetings

The Licensing Panel was scheduled to agree the procedure rules for remote meetings held under the Licensing Act 2003 and associated regulations. According to the Guidance on Remote Meetings, remote hearings will be conducted using Microsoft Teams, with both audio and video functionality. The guidance stated that unless a hearing is dealing with confidential items, it will be streamed to the public so that they may listen and watch, but the public will not be able to participate. The guidance stated that licensing hearings do not take deputations, and that the applicant, licence holder and parties making representations instead declare their intention to address the Committee beforehand.

Other Matters

The agenda included routine items such as:

• Election of a chair
• Apologies for absence
• Declarations by members of statutory disclosable pecuniary interests
• Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting on 22 May 2025
• A note of the terms of reference for licensing panels
• Any other business that the chair considers urgent.

The Terms of Reference - Licensing Panel document outlines the functions delegated to the Licensing Sub-Committees, including the determination of applications for premises licences, provisional statements, variations of premises licences, and reviews of premises licences.