The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) of Westminster Council scheduled a meeting to address three premises licence applications. Councillor Robert Eagleton, Deputy Cabinet Member - Housing, was scheduled to chair the meeting, with Councillor Tim Mitchell and Councillor Hamza Taouzzale also in attendance. The sub-committee was expected to consider each application in light of Westminster's statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003¹.

Pepe's Piri Piri, 151 Edgware Road

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Pepe's Piri Piri, located at 151 Edgware Road. The applicant, Sauki Enterprise Ltd, sought permission to serve late-night refreshments indoors between 23:00 and 03:00, seven days a week.

Several representations were made regarding the application. Environmental Health raised concerns about potential public nuisance and the protection of children from harm, requesting a site visit to discuss the application. The Hyde Park Estate Association (HPEA) objected to the proposed hours for late-night refreshment, raising concerns about crime and disorder, public safety and public nuisance. The HPEA also expressed concern about take-away and delivery services operating after core hours² and the impact of noise from customers and delivery drivers on local residents. Marylebone Ward Councillors also objected to the application, echoing the HPEA's concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour, and public nuisance. The Marylebone Association also objected, citing concerns about public nuisance and crime and disorder, particularly due to delivery drivers and late-night customers. One resident initially objected, citing concerns about anti-social behaviour, littering and excessive car noise, but later withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to reduce operating hours, provide security, conduct regular litter patrols and manage delivery drivers. Another resident also objected, suggesting conditions such as serving hot food until 01:00, staff patrols of the surrounding area and a security guard present at the venue from 23:00-01:00.

The report pack included details of the applicant's proposed measures to mitigate potential issues, including not serving alcohol, hiring additional Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered security personnel, installing CCTV cameras, and training staff to report suspicious activity. The applicant also submitted additional information in regards to the Edgware Road Special Consideration Zone, outlining steps to mitigate issues such as violent crimes, drug dealing, robberies, theft and noise nuisance. The applicant stated that they were willing to reduce their requested hours to 03:00 instead of 04:00, and that they were developing proposals to supervise delivery drivers, conduct clean-up patrols and ensure that all activity remains indoors with no external speakers or amplified sound.

The applicant also provided a kitchen ventilation specification, including details of the canopy, ventilation and filtration system.

17th & 18th Floor, 1 Paddington Square

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for the 17th & 18th Floor, 1 Paddington Square, London, W2 1DL. The applicant, Iconic Locations Paddington Co. Ltd, intended to trade as a fine dining restaurant and lounge bar with iconic views.

The report pack noted that there was an existing premises licence at the premises (Licence number 21/00850/LIPN).

The applicant requested licensable activities including:

• Plays (indoors)
• Films (indoors)
• Live music (indoors)
• Recorded music (indoors)
• Anything of a similar description to live music, recorded music and performance of dance (indoors)
• Late Night Refreshment (indoors)
• Sale by retail of alcohol (both on and off sales)

All of the above were requested to take place between 09:00 and 02:00 Monday to Sunday, with the exception of late night refreshment, which was requested to take place between 23:00 and 02:00 Monday to Sunday. The applicant also requested that the premises be open to the public between 08:00 and 02:30 Monday to Sunday.

Environmental Health raised concerns that the proposal may undermine the licensing objectives of public safety and prevention of public nuisance.

Representations were also received from other persons, including the Hyde Park Estate Association (HPEA), the Paddington Waterways Maida Vale Society (PWMVS) and the South East Bayswater Residents Association (SEBRA). The HPEA raised concerns on the likely impact on the four licensing objectives: crime & disorder; public safety; public nuisance and the protection of children from harm, particularly the prevention of public nuisance after the premise closes. The HPEA stated that while they wanted to support business and did not oppose appropriate licences, they felt that there needed to be appropriate conditions in place to protect local residents' peace, quiet and safety. The PWMVS objected to any extension of hours beyond midnight, stating that the use and hours permitted under the planning consent for 1 Paddington Square allows for a roof top restaurant use on the 17th & 18th floors, along with the free public viewing walkway alongside the restaurant on the 17th floor, to be open to the same time of midnight only. SEBRA objected to the application on the grounds of potential nuisance, crime and disorder, especially given the hours applied for and the absence of suitable conditions. SEBRA stated that they believed there should be no extension of hours to the existing Premises Licence, which are in line with the planning consent.

The report pack included a residential map and a list of licensed premises within 75m of 1 Paddington Square.

20 Manchester Square London, W1U 3PZ

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for 20 Manchester Square, London, W1U 3PZ. The applicant, Lazard & Co Limited, sought a licence to permit internal hospitality to its employees.

The applicant requested licensable activities including:

• Sale by retail of alcohol (both on and off sales)

The sale of alcohol was requested to take place between 12:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday. The applicant also requested that the premises be open to the public between 00:01 and 24:00 Monday to Sunday, but stated that the premises are not open to the public, and that employees may be on the premises outside normal business hours due to the global nature of the company.

A representation was received from a resident objecting to the application, citing ongoing disturbance and residential impact, noise intrusion, and conflict with planning use. The resident stated that the grant of a permanent premises licence for alcohol consumption would intensify these nuisances and represent an unacceptable encroachment. The resident requested that their personal information be redacted from any publicly published records or online materials relating to the objection.

The report pack stated that the premises are outside the Cumulative Impact Zone³ and Special Consideration Zones⁴.