The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider two licensing applications. The first was a new premises licence application for Ku Kushi, a restaurant in Great Windmill Street. The second was a review of the premises licence for Al Balad, a restaurant on Edgware Road, following concerns raised by immigration enforcement.

Ku Kushi, 39 Great Windmill Street, London, W1D 7LX

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Ku Kushi, a restaurant located at 39 Great Windmill Street¹ in the West End ward. The applicant, Dpm Gordon Company Limited, proposed to operate as a restaurant offering Yakitori cuisine, aiming to provide a unique and cozy dining experience ². The application sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshment, with proposed hours aligning with Westminster City Council's core hours policy.

The applicant had offered a number of conditions to promote the licensing objectives, including operating solely as a restaurant, limiting the premises' capacity to 50 people, and ensuring alcohol sales were ancillary to substantial table meals. The Metropolitan Police³ initially made representations opposing the grant of the licence, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone⁴. However, these representations were withdrawn after the applicant agreed to remove a condition that would have allowed alcohol to be supplied and consumed prior to a meal in a bar area.

Environmental Health⁵ also made representations, raising concerns about potential public nuisance and impact on public safety within the Cumulative Impact Zone. They requested further information regarding kitchen extract ventilation, sanitary accommodation, and noise insulation. The Licensing Authority⁶ also raised concerns regarding the promotion of the four licensing objectives, particularly public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.

The Soho Society⁷, an interested party, also objected to the application, highlighting the premises' location within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone and the potential for increased cumulative impact. A nearby resident also raised concerns about noise transmission through party walls.

The agenda detailed numerous conditions consistent with the operating schedule and proposed by responsible authorities and interested parties, covering aspects such as the operation as a restaurant, availability of food and non-intoxicating beverages, staff training, CCTV, noise control, waste management, and dispersal plans.

Al Balad, 11 Edgware Road, London, W2 2ER

The committee was scheduled to consider a review of the premises licence for Al Balad, located at 11 Edgware Road⁸ in the Hyde Park ward. The application for review was submitted by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team (IELCT)⁹ on the grounds that the licence holder had failed to meet the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder, due to the identification of illegal working at the premises.

The Home Office's application detailed multiple enforcement visits to Al Balad and a second premises, Al Balad 2, both linked by the same licence holder, Donise Limited¹⁰. These visits, occurring between April 2017 and October 2025, reportedly identified a total of fifteen illegal workers across the premises. The application highlighted significant civil penalties issued to Donise Limited, with some outstanding balances. The most recent visit on 31 October 2025 was described as involving significant hostility, including violent and threatening behaviour from staff members, which escalated to the point of requiring police intervention to ensure officer safety and restore order. ¹¹

The Home Office submitted that the licence holder had repeatedly failed to conduct mandatory employment checks and that the premises had demonstrated a sustained and deliberate disregard for immigration and employment laws over an extended period. ¹² They argued that revocation of the licence should be seriously considered, as per guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003¹³. The Home Office requested the revocation of the premises licence.

Representations in support of the review were received from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service¹⁴, and Environmental Health. The Licensing Authority's representation specifically referenced guidance on the prevention of immigration crime and illegal working, stating that the premises' operation raised concerns about the management's ability to uphold licensing objectives and that revocation should be considered. The Metropolitan Police also expressed serious concerns regarding the prevention of crime and disorder, noting the astronomical fines and the disgrace of the staff's behaviour during the October 2025 visit. Environmental Health supported the review application, citing potential public safety hazards for council officers visiting the premises.

Two representations from interested parties were received objecting to the review. These representations focused on the personal experience of longstanding customers, stating that they had never witnessed crime, disorder, aggression, or unsafe conduct. They described the premises as calm, well-managed, and orderly and felt safe and secure during their visits. One of these representations also commented on the October 2025 enforcement visit, suggesting that the officers' approach contributed to the disorder.

The agenda also included details of the existing premises licence for Al Balad, issued to Donise Limited, which authorises playing of recorded music, late-night refreshment, private entertainment, and the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises. Notably, no Designated Premises Supervisor¹⁵ was listed on the licence.

The appendices to the report included extensive documentation related to the Home Office enforcement visits, including employee encounter details, employer interviews, and right-to-work compliance checks. There were also statements from Donise Limited and their appointed accountant and compliance officer, outlining implemented improvements and confirming current staff compliance.