The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee met to discuss a request from Sekerci Cafer Erol 1807, a Turkish patisserie on Brompton Road, to extend its alcohol sales hours and add late-night refreshment to its license. Councillors heard arguments for and against the application, focusing on concerns about public nuisance and crime, before adjourning to make a decision in private.

Sekerci Cafer Erol 1807 Licensing Application

Mr Berk Koca applied to vary the premises licence for Sekerci Cafer Erol 1807, located at 137-141 Brompton Road, to extend the hours for alcohol sales on Thursdays to Saturdays and include late-night refreshments. The current licence permits the sale of alcohol on the premises from Sunday to Wednesday, 12:00 to 23:00, and Thursday to Saturday, 12:00 to 24:00. The applicant requested to vary the licence to permit the sale of alcohol on the premises on Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 to 03:00, and also to include the provision of late-night refreshment Thursday to Saturday from 23:00 to 03:00. Following discussions with the police and the licensing authority, Mr Koca's representative, Mr Robert Sunderland, proposed that licensable activities would cease at 2:00 am, with the premises closing to the public at 2:30 am on Thursdays to Saturdays.

Objections

The council received 10 representations against the application, including from the Knightsbridge Association, Lancelot Place Knightsbridge, and Knightsbridge Residence Management Company Limited. Concerns included:

• Noise disturbance to nearby residents
• Increased crime
• Traffic and parking issues
• The impact on residential amenity
• The application being contrary to the council's midnight policy

Applicant's Submission

Mr Sunderland explained that Sekerci Cafer Erol is a Turkish brand that operates with the ground floor as a patisserie and the basement as a private dining area. He stated that the premises operates for private bookings only, with seated tables and waiter-waitress service. The purpose of the application is to enable food to be provided to a slightly later time and to allow the provision of alcohol and additional refreshment when requested by those booking the premises. Mr Sunderland stated that the proposed conditions and the operation of the premises would not exacerbate any issues highlighted within the council's policy.

Committee Questions

Councillor Laura Burns asked why the applicant wanted to extend the hours, considering the council's midnight policy. Mr Sunderland responded that the premises is able to operate on a dry hire basis without any licensable activities and has done so. He added that discussions with the authorities have been about whether the operation itself would create or cause concern in relation to the licensing objectives.

Councillor Linda Wade asked for the definition of a VIP and how someone qualifies to be one. Mr Sunderland explained that it is a private dining area, so anyone who is a guest of the person who has booked the room would be considered a VIP.

Councillor Janet Evans, Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee, asked if shisha would be available at the premises, to which Mr Sunderland responded no.

Objectors' Testimony

Ms Caroline Stocklin, a resident of Knightsbridge, objected to the application, stating that Knightsbridge and Belgravia are residential areas and not historically for late-night entertainment. She expressed concern that granting the application would form a dangerous precedent, encouraging more premises to ask for late-night applications. Ms Stocklin also raised concerns about noise, rat running, and the impact of tables and chairs on the pavement.

Mr Simon Cooper, representing the Knightsbridge Residence Management Company Limited, stated that the proposed extension of hours would lead to more nuisance due to additional people leaving the premises at that time. He argued that the applicant had not demonstrated that the licence would not exacerbate the problem and that the conditions proposed do not prevent the crux of the issue, which is patrons leaving the premises and creating noise.

Legal Officer's Comments

Lindsay LeMassurier, the council's legal officer, clarified that the committee was only considering the variation for extended hours and not the wider issues. She raised the issue of tying alcohol sales to food for the extended hours, to which Mr Sunderland responded that he thought it was a good suggestion.

Conditions Discussed

The committee and parties discussed various conditions, including:

• Hours of operation
• The provision of substantial food and non-alcoholic beverages
• The supervision of the smoking area
• A last admission time
• Residence meetings with local residents associations, such as the Knightsbridge Association and the Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Forum

The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning to make a decision in private session. A summary determination was to be sent to the parties within five working days, with a full decision to follow thereafter.