The Licensing Committee of the City of London Corporation met on 10 July 2025 to discuss revenue, business plans, legislative changes and licensing decisions. The committee was also scheduled to hear updates from the City of London Police and consider appeals against licensing sub-committee decisions.

Planned Legislative and Other Changes

The committee was scheduled to receive a report outlining upcoming changes to legislation, statutory guidance, and licensing regimes that the Licensing Service will need to implement. According to the Report - Legislative and Other Upcoming Changes - July 2025, these included:

• The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently at the committee stage in the House of Lords. The bill includes provisions to prohibit the sale of tobacco to people born after 1 January 2009, license retail sales, control advertising, and create smoke-free and vape-free places.
• New Section 25 Guidance for the Gambling Act 2005. The Gambling Commission is updating its guidance, and once received, the City of London Gambling Policy, Local Area Profile, and Equality Impact Assessment may require updating.
• A new licensing scheme under the Health and Care Act 2022 for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England. The scheme aims to ensure that consumers can be confident that treatments are safe and of a high standard.
• The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn's Law), which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The act aims to improve protective security and organisational preparedness by requiring responsible parties to consider responses to terrorist attacks. It also introduces an amendment to the Licensing Act related to the submission of security plans.
• A pilot project with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to introduce strategic licensing powers for the Mayor of London. This could include a new call in power over licensing applications in areas of strategic importance for the night-time economy.

Environment Department High-Level Business Plan 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the Environment Department’s High-Level Business Plan 2024/25, specifically focusing on the Licensing Team's progress. The Licensing Business Plan Progress 2024-25 Report outlined the team's achievements against its priority objectives, in line with the Corporate Plan and Destination City initiatives¹. Key highlights included:

• The launch of the City Interactive Map in June 2024, providing information on licensed premises and other local resources.
• The relaunch of the Safety Thirst Accreditation Scheme to recognise well-managed venues and promote the City as a safe destination.
• Reviews and consultations on the Statement of Licensing Principles, Alfresco Dining Policy², and Gambling Policy.
• The implementation of the new pavement licence regime under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

Revenue Outturn 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Revenue Outturn 2024/25, comparing the revenue outturn for services overseen by the committee with the budget for the year. According to the Licensing Outturn Report 24-25, the actual net expenditure for the committee's services was £320,000, an underspend of £31,000 compared to the budget of £351,000. The significant local risk variations included:

• An increase in staff costs of £55,000, primarily due to additional policy support and agency staff.
• Additional income of £91,000, mainly from pavement licences following an increase in fees, and from street trading.

Delegated Decisions on Premises Licences

The committee was scheduled to receive a report detailing premises licences and variations granted under delegated authority between 1 March 2025 and 31 May 2025. The Report - Delegated Powers - Mar 2025 - May 2025 included a summary of enforcement actions taken under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Police, Factories (Misc Provisions) Act 1916, as well as data from the 'traffic light' risk scheme.

During the period, 18 new licence applications were issued, including to:

• Acer at 61-63 Watling Street
• Benito's at Unit 3, 5-7 Devonshire Row
• Huckletree at 1 Primrose Street
• Happenstance (Pop Up Bar) at 10 Paternoster Square
• Kirkland & Ellis at 40 Leadenhall Street
• Kimchimama at 142 Fleet Street
• BDK at 100 Liverpool Street
• Matthew Clark Bibendum at 16 St Martin's-Le-Grand
• Stoney Lane at 9 Stoney Lane
• Teapsy Project at 28 Chancery Lane, Unit 4
• Association of British Insurers at 1 - 6 Lombard Street
• Kleftiko at 84 Fetter Lane
• Lombard Fields Ltd at 68 Lombard Street
• Ki Insurance at 122 Leadenhall Street
• Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP at 100 Cheapside
• Fidelity Investments at 25 Cannon Street
• Vagabond at 5 Paternoster Square
• Paternoster Lodge at 2 Paternoster Square

6 licence variations were also issued, including to:

• Wagtail at 68 King William Street, to remove a condition relating to the use of roof terraces.
• Chipotle at 49A London Wall, to extend the provision of regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol.
• Chipotle at 72 King William Street, to extend the provision of regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol.
• Nisa at 55 – 56 Aldgate High Street, to bring forward the start time for alcohol sales by one hour.
• Fazenda at 100 Bishopsgate, to include the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.
• Vintry & Mercer at 19-20 Garlick Hill & 4 Skinners Lane, to vary the layout to include an outside service bar.

Between 1 March 2025 and 31 May 2025, one personal licence and 31 pavement licences were issued. There were 49 pro-active inspections of licensed premises, resulting in 36 informal advisories and 5 warning letters.

Bulbul, Victoria House, 25 Tudor Street, EC4Y 0DD

The committee was scheduled to note the minutes of the Licensing (Hearing) Sub-Committees, including one concerning Bulbul, Part Ground & Lower Ground Floor, Victoria House, 25 Tudor Street, EC4Y 0DD.

A public hearing was held on 2 April 2025 to consider representations submitted in respect of a variation application for an existing premises licence by Butter Chicken Hospitality Ltd for the premises.

During the hearing, Butter Chicken Hospitality Ltd, represented by Twinkle Keswani and Niall McCann, presented their proposal for a new fine dining restaurant named Bulbul . The restaurant would feature a ground floor entrance on Temple Avenue and a basement dining area for 80 guests, with a maitre d' managing customer flow and a lift for disabled access. The applicant highlighted fire safety measures, including suppression systems and mechanical ventilation, to address odour and noise concerns, and committed to internal waste storage with removal during sociable hours.

Objectors raised concerns about the restaurant's proximity to residential windows, potential noise from patrons and deliveries, and the lack of a separate service entrance. They criticised the absence of an acoustic assessment and expressed worries about the proposed smoking area, recommending a staff-managed alternative.

The Sub-Committee determined that the licence should be granted with conditions, including:

• The supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises only, between 10:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday.
• An incident log shall be kept at the premises and made available on request.
• A Challenge 25 Scheme shall operate.
• A written dispersal policy shall be in place.
• All external doors, lobby doors, and windows shall be kept closed save for entry or exit, or in the event of an emergency.
• Refuse collection and deliveries not permitted between 11:00PM-8:00AM.

Appeals Against Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee Decisions

The committee was scheduled to hear from the Comptroller and City Solicitor regarding appeals against Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee decisions.

City of London Police Quarterly Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Commissioner of Police containing data from Quarter 2, relating to the nighttime economy, offences recorded by police, and police operations.