The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council met on Thursday 21 August 2025 to consider three licensing applications. The meeting was scheduled to discuss new premises licences and variations to existing licences for establishments in the West End.

CARPO, 10 Glasshouse Street, London, W1B 5AR

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for CARPO, located at 10 Glasshouse Street, London, W1B 5AR. The application, received on 2 May 2025, was from Mr Thomas Papounidis for a premises described as a premium café and boutique. The application sought permission for the retail sale of alcohol for both on and off-site consumption, with proposed hours from 11:00 to 23:00 daily, and for the premises to be open to the public from 09:00 to 23:00 daily.

The report pack indicated that the Metropolitan Police Service had initially raised concerns regarding the application's potential impact on the licensing objectives of public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. These concerns were later withdrawn. However, the Licensing Authority had concerns about how the premises would promote the four licensing objectives, particularly in relation to the West End Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The Licensing Authority requested further submissions on how alcohol would be sold and served, and whether it would be ancillary to a table meal.

The Soho Society lodged an objection, citing the premises' location within the West End CIZ, an area already saturated with licensed premises. They argued that a new alcohol licence would fail to promote the licensing objectives and increase cumulative impact, referencing statistics on crime and noise levels in the area. The Soho Society's objection highlighted the need to revise the council's 2021 Statement of Licensing Policy, which they considered outdated.

The applicant, Mr Thomas Papounidis, submitted that alcohol sales would be ancillary to a food-led, seated café experience, with alcohol served only to seated customers accompanying complimentary snacks or meals prepared on-site. He stated that off-sales would be minimal and responsibly managed, with a strict Challenge 25 policy in place. Mr Papounidis also noted that the Metropolitan Police had raised no objections after a meeting, and that the applicant had worked closely with the council's licensing officers. He highlighted the premises' proven track record and financial commitment to the area, stating that alcohol represented less than 1% of the menu offering. The applicant also noted that Temporary Event Notices (TENs) had been held previously with no incidents.

The report pack detailed the relevant policies from the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, including CIP1 (Cumulative Impact Zone), HRS1 (Core Hours), and RNT1 (Restaurants). These policies outline the council's approach to licensing applications within the West End CIZ and the general granting of hours within core hours.

MEDITERRANEAN CAFE, 18 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PU

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for the Mediterranean Café, located at 18 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PU. The application, received on 15 May 2025, from Soho Sky Ltd, sought to remove condition 39, which stated that Ali Aksu and Mehmet Aksu shall not work at the premises. The premises currently operates as a restaurant and has held a premises licence since 2005, with previous review proceedings in 2020 and 2024.

Representations in objection to the variation were received from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, and The Soho Society. The Licensing Authority's representation, dated 9 June 2025, detailed numerous alleged breaches of licence conditions and failures to promote the licensing objectives. These included operating beyond permitted hours, using unlicensed tables and chairs on the footway, operating as a bar rather than a restaurant, and failing to provide CCTV footage. The Metropolitan Police Service, in their representation dated 11 June 2025, echoed these concerns, highlighting repeated breaches and a lack of compliance. The Soho Society's objections, dated 23 and 24 May 2025, also focused on the premises' alleged disregard for licensing conditions and the negative impact on the local area.

The report pack outlined the applicability of Policy CIP1 (Cumulative Impact Zone) and HRS1 (Core Hours) from the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy.

VIOLETS, Ground Floor, 19 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PX

The committee was also scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for Violets, located at Ground Floor, 19 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PX. This application, received on 15 May 2025, from Soho Cloud Ltd, also sought to remove condition 45, which stated that Ali Aksu and Mehmet Aksu shall not work at the premises. Violets operates as a restaurant and has held a premises licence since 2010, with previous review proceedings in 2020 and 2024.

Similar to the Mediterranean Café application, representations in objection were received from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, and The Soho Society, citing the same concerns regarding breaches of licence conditions and failures to promote the licensing objectives.

The report pack again referenced Policy CIP1 (Cumulative Impact Zone) and HRS1 (Core Hours) from the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy.

The meeting agenda also included standard items such as reporting any changes to membership and receiving declarations of interest.