The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Thursday, 25 September 2025, to consider an application for a premises licence for Little Julie's, located at 102 Portland Road. The committee granted the licence with a number of conditions attached, including restrictions on alcohol sales hours and the management of external areas.

Grant of Premises Licence for Little Julie's

The primary focus of the meeting was the application by Julie's Restaurant Limited for a premises licence for Little Julie's, a cafe and deli at 102 Portland Road, London W11 4LX. The application sought authorisation for the retail sale of alcohol, both on and off the premises, from Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the premises closing to the public at 11:30 p.m. A non-standard timing was also requested for New Year's Eve.

The application attracted significant public interest, with twelve objections and two supporting representations.

Applicant's Case: Ms. Lana Tricker, representing the applicant, emphasised that Little Julie's would operate as a small, 19-seat cafe, deli, and all-day eatery, not a bar or nightclub. She highlighted that food would be the primary offering, with alcohol sales being ancillary. Proposed conditions included table service only, no standing customers, background music only, and a dispersal policy. The applicant also agreed to additional conditions such as annual resident meetings and a limit of five smokers outside. They noted the absence of objections from the Planning Department and Environmental Health.

Objectors' Concerns: Objectors, primarily residents from the northern side of Portland Road, raised concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. Key issues included:

• Noise and Disturbance: Residents feared an aggregation of noise from both Little Julie's and the existing Julie's Restaurant, particularly during late-night hours, impacting their right to quiet enjoyment of their homes. They argued that the premises' location in a quiet residential area made it unsuitable for an alcohol-serving venue.
• Public Safety: Concerns were raised about patrons crossing the road between the two establishments, potentially while intoxicated, and the safety implications of steep steps leading from the premises. The narrow pavements and busy junction at Clarendon Cross were also cited as safety risks.
• Congestion and Parking: The introduction of another venue was expected to exacerbate existing traffic and parking issues in the densely populated residential area.
• Character of the Neighbourhood: Objectors argued that the proposed venue, particularly with alcohol sales, would fundamentally alter the character of the area, which is designated for family life and prioritises tranquillity.
• Off-Sales: There was significant concern that off-sales of alcohol would lead to increased street drinking in the nearby pedestrianised square, resulting in rowdiness, litter, and further public nuisance.
• Inconsistency and Trust: Objectors pointed to what they perceived as contradictory statements from the applicant regarding the nature of the business and its operating hours, leading to a loss of trust.

Supporters' Views: Supporters, including Councillor Stephanie Petit, highlighted the positive impact Julie's Restaurant had on the Clarendon Cross area, reducing anti-social behaviour and enhancing safety. They expressed confidence in the management team's ability to operate Little Julie's responsibly, citing their experience and community engagement. Judith Rivkin, a local resident, spoke about the need for an informal drop-in place and believed Little Julie's would enhance neighbourhood safety by increasing eyes on the street.

Decision and Conditions: After considering all representations and submissions, the Licensing Sub-Committee granted the premises licence. A number of conditions were agreed upon and attached to the licence to address the concerns raised by objectors and promote the licensing objectives. These included:

• Alcohol Sales Hours: Off-sales were restricted to 9:30 p.m. for both takeaways and any potential pavement licence use. On-sales were permitted until 11 p.m.
• Sealed Containers for Off-Sales: Alcohol sold for off-premises consumption must be in sealed containers.
• Seated Consumption: Alcohol could only be sold for consumption on the premises to customers seated at tables or counters, with waiter/waitress service.
• Ancillary to Food: A condition was added stating that alcohol sales shall be ancillary to the main use of the premises as a cafe/deli.
• Doors Closed: The premises' doors were to be kept closed from 9 p.m. onwards, except for immediate access and egress.
• Smoking Area: A limit of four people was placed on the number of patrons permitted to smoke outside at any one time.
• Refuse and Deliveries: Conditions were imposed to restrict the times for refuse collection (no later than 8 p.m.) and deliveries (between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.).
• Resident Meetings: The premises licence holder is required to host annual meetings with local residents and residents' associations, with clear notice provided.
• CCTV and Complaints: Conditions regarding CCTV systems and the maintenance of a complaints log were included.
• Pavement Licence: Any use of external areas for alcohol consumption was made conditional on obtaining a pavement licence, with specific times stipulated.

The committee acknowledged the concerns regarding the suitability of the site for an off-licence and the potential for public nuisance, but ultimately decided that with the imposed conditions, the licence could be granted in a manner that promoted the licensing objectives. The decision on the licence was to be sent to the parties within five working days, with a full decision to follow.