The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council scheduled a meeting to discuss three premises licence applications. Councillor Maggie Carman was scheduled to chair the meeting, with Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Councillor Melvyn Caplan also in attendance. The meeting was scheduled to take place at Westminster Council's offices on Victoria Street.

Carpo, 10 Glasshouse Street

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Carpo, a café and boutique at 10 Glasshouse Street. Mr Thomas Papounidis applied for the licence, seeking permission to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 to 22:30 on Sunday. The report pack stated that the premises has an internal capacity of 21 and an external capacity of 34.

The Metropolitan Police Service initially objected to the application, but withdrew their objection after Mr Thomas Papounidis agreed to reduce the Sunday hours for licensable activities.

Environmental Health also objected to the application, and the Licensing Authority noted that the premises is located within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone¹ and as such, the application must be determined in accordance with Policies RNT1, HRS1 and CIP1 of the City of Westminster statement of Licensing Policy. The Licensing Authority also raised concerns about how the applicant intended to sell and serve alcohol, and whether alcohol sales would be limited to customers seated and having a table meal.

The Soho Society also objected to the application, stating that Soho is already saturated with over 510 licensed premises, and that any new licensed premises has a negative impact on residents. The Soho Society stated that:

We object to this application. In considering our submission we strongly urge Councillors on the Licensing Sub-Committee to consider the above and the data provided below which is found in the Council's own CIA 2023 and from the Police, data which we believe means a new alcohol licence will fail to promote the licensing objectives and will increase cumulative impact.

In response to the representations, Mr Thomas Papounidis sent a mediation letter, stating that alcohol would only be served to seated customers at tables, and would be accompanied by complimentary snacks. He also stated that the premises operates a kitchen where fresh sandwiches and pastries are prepared daily.

Mr Thomas Papounidis also made additional submissions, stressing that he had operated with temporary event notices² in the past with zero incidents, and that only six out of approximately 120 menu items are alcoholic.

The report pack included a list of proposed conditions, including that the premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system, operate a Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, and keep an incident log.

Mediterranean Cafe, 18 Berwick Street

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Mediterranean Cafe, 18 Berwick Street. Soho Sky Ltd applied to remove condition 39, which states that Ali Aksu and Mehmet Aksu shall not work at the premises.

The Licensing Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service objected to the application. A local resident also objected, stating:

I do not want to be subjected to hearing loud entertainment and intoxicated people shouting on the street late into the night outside where I live. My reasons are that there is already too much noise along this street coming from food establishments. If businesses continuously break licensing conditions, then there must be solid repercussions. My understanding is the owners do not respect the regulations therefore they must be prevented from returning to the business.

The Licensing Authority submitted a report detailing a history of issues at the premises, including operating beyond permitted hours, using unlicensed tables and chairs, operating as a bar instead of a restaurant, failing to provide CCTV footage, and breaches of waste presentation conditions.

The report pack also included a summary of a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting from January 16, 2025, which reviewed the premises licence for Mediterranean Cafe. The committee decided to suspend the premises licence for three months and modify the conditions of the licence, including adding a condition that Ali Aksu and Mehmet Aksu shall not work at the premises.

Violets, 19 Berwick Street

The committee was scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Violets, Ground Floor, 19 Berwick Street. Soho Cloud Ltd applied to remove condition 45, which states that Ali Aksu and Mehmet Aksu shall not work at the premises.

The Licensing Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service objected to the application. A local resident also objected, stating that if businesses continuously break licensing conditions, then there must be solid repercussions, and that the owners should be prevented from returning to the business.

The Licensing Authority submitted a report detailing a history of issues at the premises, including operating beyond permitted hours, using unlicensed tables and chairs, operating as a bar instead of a restaurant, failing to provide CCTV footage, and breaches of waste presentation conditions.

The report pack also included a summary of a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting from January 16, 2025, which reviewed the premises licence for Violets. The committee decided to suspend the premises licence for three months and modify the conditions of the licence, including adding a condition that Ali Aksu and Mehmet Aksu shall not work at the premises.

Policy Considerations

The report pack included guidance for the sub-committee related to considering premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003.

The sub-committee was advised to have regard to the City of Westminster statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and any guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 the Licensing Act 2003.