The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) of Westminster Council scheduled a meeting to discuss four licensing applications. The applications included a premises licence variation, a new club premises certificate, and two new premises licences. Councillors Angela Piddock, Judith Southern, and Caroline Sargent were scheduled to be in attendance.

London Cocktail Club, Portland House

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for the London Cocktail Club at Basement, Portland House, 4 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QJ. The London Cocktail Club Limited requested to:

• Increase the opening hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to 03:00.
• Increase the hours for sale by retail of alcohol and playing of recorded music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to 02:30.
• Amend conditions 38 and 39 relating to admittance and readmittance times.
• Amend premises licence to include off sales subject to their proposed amendment.

The report pack notes that the premises has had a premises licence since 10 March 2014, and that the applicant has proposed six conditions that are consistent with the operating schedule.

The Metropolitan Police originally objected to the application, but withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to additional conditions. Similarly, Environmental Health withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to additional conditions.

The Licensing Authority, however, maintained concerns, stating that the application seeks hours in excess of the council's core hours¹, and that the premises is located within the West End Cumulative Impact Area[^3]. The Licensing Authority stated that:

In accordance with the Cumulative impact Policy (CIP1) there is a presumption to refuse applications for pubs and bars, fast food premises, and music and dancing and similar entertainment within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. This policy is intended to be strict and will only be overridden in genuinely exceptional circumstances. However, the Licensing Authority will not apply these policies inflexibly. It will always consider the individual circumstances of each application. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an exception as to why their licence application should be granted.

The Licensing Authority also noted that this was the fourth variation application to extend the hours at the premises since the premises licence was granted in 2013, and that a previous application to extend the hours was refused by the Licensing Sub Committee in 2017.

Appendix 5 of the report pack includes a residential map and a list of licensed premises within 75m of the London Cocktail Club.

Lighthouse Soho, Berwick Street

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new club premises certificate for Lighthouse Soho, 48 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8JD.

According to the applicant supporting documents, Lighthouse Soho is intended to be a members' club that will be a beacon of creativity in the Soho area , hosting retail events for artists working in textiles, fashion, accessories, ornaments and other creative fields. The retail element will include a small permanent area on the ground floor which will showcase pieces from artists from around London and beyond. The club will also be available as a meeting space. As part of these varied offerings, meetings and happenings, Lighthouse will also, on occasion, sell by retail alcoholic beverages to club members and their guests.

The Metropolitan Police Service originally objected to the application, but withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to further conditions. Environmental Health also raised concerns that the licensable activities and the hours requested may have the likely effect of increasing public nuisance and impact on public safety within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The Licensing Authority also raised concerns, stating that the applicant is required to confirm that the club meets the conditions of a qualifying club, and that the applicant must demonstrate that the premises will have no adverse impact within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone.

The Soho Society also objected to the application, stating that the applicant fails to provide any detailed information in the application on the operation of the club, and that there is no mention of the club's intended capacity, nor the amount of memberships that they will be granted.

Unit 3, 95 Wigmore Street

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Unit 3, 95 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 1DL. The applicant, Prezzemolo & Vitale Uk Ltd, proposed to operate a delicatessen over the ground and lower ground floor.

Environmental Health originally objected to the application, stating that the provision of supply of alcohol and the hours requested will have the likely effect of causing an increase in public nuisance in the area and may impact upon public safety. However, Environmental Health withdrew their representation after the applicant agreed to conditions. The Metropolitan Police Service also originally objected to the application, but withdrew their objection after the agreement of conditions with the applicant.

A local resident objected to the application, stating that the street is already struggling with serious and ongoing problems caused by existing food and drink premises, and that the presence of open food waste overnight attracts rats and foxes, presenting a growing public health hazard. The Marylebone Association also objected to the application, but withdrew their representation after conditions were agreed with Environmental Health and the Police, and the applicant agreed to reduce the hours on a Sunday.

Made In Little France, Westbourne Grove

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for Made In Little France, 38 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5SH. Made In Little France Import Ltd requested to vary the retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises to 24 hours, and to vary the opening hours to 09:00 to 22:00.

Environmental Health objected to the application, stating that the provision of supply of alcohol and the hours requested will have the likely effect of causing an increase in public nuisance in the area and may impact on public safety.

The South East Bayswater Residents' Association (SEBRA) also objected to the application, stating that there are insufficient conditions to control potential noise and public nuisance from the premises and at point of delivery, and that they object to 24 hours of off sales of alcohol. SEBRA also raised concerns about potential disturbance to immediate neighbours by delivery drivers arriving and collecting alcohol and then leaving at all hours of the night.