Agenda and minutes

To report any changes to the membership.

1.1       There were no changes to the membership.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

2.1       There were no declarations of interest.

WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE NO.4 (“Committee”)

Thursday 6 June 2024

Membership:           Councillor Angela Piddock (Chair) and Councillor Iman Less and Councillor Caroline Sargent

Officers present:      Legal Advisor - Horatio Chance

Presenting Officer - Kevin Jackaman
Committee Officer - Jessica Barnett

Persons attending the hearing

For the Police: Amani Solimani Counsel of Francis Taylor Buildings

PC Steve Muldoon PC Adam Deweltz.

For the PLH (Main Licence): Gary Grant Counsel of Francis Taylor Buildings

Instructing Solicitors, Thomas & Thomas: Thomas O’Maoileoin (Solicitor) Will Robinson (Solicitor) Mr Dennis Rogers, Elliott Rogers, Ruben Santos, Andy Bannon (Metroguard) Damon Sripha, Adrian Studd (Licensing Consultant).

For the Licensing Authority: Ms Jessica Donovan.

For the Environmental Health Service: Mr Maxwell Koduah.

For the Interested Parties: Richard Brown of Westminster Licensing Project representing the Soho Society: The Soho Ward Panel: Jane Doyle.

For the PLH (Shadow Licence): Niall McCann (Solicitor) Keystone Law

Chaim Aziz (Managing Director).

Full Review Hearing in respect of Premises Licence for Louche 4 Greek Street London W1D 4DB(“The Premises”) 24/03041/LIREVX

                                           FULL REVIEW DECISION

Case Summary

The Metropolitan Police Service (“Police”) submitted an application for a Summary Review of the above Premises pursuant to Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 (“The Act”) on 15 May 2024 as the Police considered the Premises were associated with serious crime. The Premises Licence Holder (“PLH”) for the Main Licence is Samocca Assets Limited (British Virgin Island Company) and the registered Designated Premises Supervisor is Mr Elliott Dennis Rogers. The PLH for the Shadow Licence is Samocca Assets Limited but with a UK company registered address.

A Licensing Sub-Committee was convened on the 17 May 2024 to consider whether it was necessary to take interim steps pending the determination of the Review applied for by the Police.  At this hearing the Sub-Committee concluded that it was necessary and appropriate to take the following steps in respect of the main licence:

·       To suspend the Main Licence with immediate effect.

·       To exclude the sale of alcohol from the scope of the licence;

·       To remove the Designated Premises Supervisor.

In view of the seriousness of this case, it was necessary for this Interim Decision to take immediate effect.

A copy of the Interim Steps Decision can be found at Appendix C of the Agenda report.

Following the advertisement of the review application, two representations have been received from the Soho Society and one member of the public in support of the review. The Police produced further evidence by way of CCTV Footage which was seen by the Sub-Committee along with the CCTV footage produced by the PLH (Main Licence) in advance of today’s hearing.

The PLH (Main Licence) has also produced a number of additional documents which can be found at pages 5-83 of the additional papers.  

The PLH (Shadow Licence) has also produced a written submission and this was noted by the Sub-Committee.

A representation has also been received from the Environmental Health Service in support of the review.

The representations can be seen at Appendix E of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE NO.4 (“Committee”)

Thursday 6 June 2024

Membership:           Councillor Angela Piddock (Chair) and Councillor Iman Less and Councillor Caroline Sargent

Officers present:      Legal Advisor - Horatio Chance

Presenting Officer - Kevin Jackaman
Committee Officer - Jessica Barnett

Persons attending the hearing

For the Police: Amani Solimani Counsel of Francis Taylor Buildings

PC Steve Muldoon PC Adam Deweltz.

For the PLH (Main Licence): Gary Grant Counsel of Francis Taylor Buildings

Instructing Solicitors, Thomas & Thomas: Thomas O’Maoileoin (Solicitor) Will Robinson (Solicitor) Mr Dennis Rogers, Elliott Rogers, Ruben Santos, Andy Bannon (Metroguard) Damon Sripha, Adrian Studd (Licensing Consultant).

For the Licensing Authority: Ms Jessica Donovan.

For the Environmental Health Service: Mr Maxwell Koduah.

For the Interested Parties: Richard Brown of Westminster Licensing Project representing the Soho Society: The Soho Ward Panel: Jane Doyle.

For the PLH (Shadow Licence): Niall McCann (Solicitor) Keystone Law

Chaim Aziz (Managing Director).

Full Review Hearing in respect of Shadow Licence for Louche 4 Greek Street London W1D 4DB(“The Premises”) 24/03042/LIREVX

                                           FULL REVIEW DECISION

Case Summary

The Metropolitan Police Service (“Police”) submitted an application for a Summary Review of the above Premises pursuant to Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 (“The Act”) on 15 May 2024 as the Police considered the Premises were associated with serious crime. The Premises Licence Holder (“PLH”) for the Main Licence is Samocca Assets Limited (British Virgin Island Company) and the registered Designated Premises Supervisor is Mr Elliott Dennis Rogers. The PLH for the Shadow Licence is Samocca Assets Limited but with a UK company registered address.

A Licensing Sub-Committee was convened on the 17 May 2024 to consider whether it was necessary to take interim steps pending the determination of the Review applied for by the Police.  At this hearing the Sub-Committee concluded that it was necessary and appropriate to take the following steps in respect of the main licence:

·       To suspend the Main Licence with immediate effect.

·       To exclude the sale of alcohol from the scope of the licence;

·       To remove the Designated Premises Supervisor.

In view of the seriousness of this case, it was necessary for this Interim Decision to take immediate effect.

A copy of the Interim Steps Decision can be found at Appendix C of the Agenda report.

Following the advertisement of the review application, two representations have been received from the Soho Society and one member of the public in support of the review. The Police produced further evidence by way of CCTV Footage which was seen by the Sub-Committee along with the CCTV footage produced by the PLH (Main Licence) in advance of today’s hearing.

The PLH (Main Licence) has also produced a number of additional documents which can be found at pages 5-83 of the additional papers.  

The PLH (Shadow Licence) has also produced a written submission and this was noted by the Sub-Committee.

A representation has also been received from the Environmental Health Service in support of the review.

The representations can be seen at Appendix E of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.