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WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE NO. 4

Thursday 27 May 2021

Membership:           Councillor Karen Scarborough (Chairman), Councillor Susie Burbridge and Councillor Rita Begum

Officer Support:       Legal Advisor:         Viviene Walker

                                Policy Officer:          Kerry Simpkins

                                Committee Officer:  Sarah Craddock

                                Presenting Officer:  Karyn Abbot

Application for Variation of Premises Licence – Balans Café 34-34A,34B Old Compton Street, London W1D 4TR and 23A-23B Frith Street, London W1D 4TP – 21/00693/LIPV

Premises

Balans Café

34 Old Compton Street

London

W1D 4TR

Applicant

Running Hare Restaurants Ltd

Represented by Mr Thomas O’Maolieoin (Thomas and Thomas)

David Taylor and Kieran Crosby (representing Running Hare Restaurants Ltd)

Cumulative Impact Area

West End

Ward

West End

Summary of Application

This is an application for a variation of a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 (“The Act”).  The Premises are comprised of 34-34A and 34B Old Compton Street and 23A-23B Frith Street being the licensed Premises (“The Premises”), this effectively means that there are three units in the Premises. The Premises operate as a restaurant and café.  The Premises have had the benefit of a Licence (20/06321/LIPT) since 2015.  Currently 23-23B Frith Street are not used by customers after midnight.

The purpose of the application was to amalgamate the hours for Late Night Refreshment in all parts of the Premises Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 05:00 hours and to extend the hours for sale of alcohol in all parts of the Premises Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 01:00 hours and Sunday 12:00 to 01:00 hours.

Proposed Activities and Hours

To amalgamate the hours for Late Night Refreshment in all parts of the Premises

Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 05:00

To extend the hours for Sale of Alcohol in all parts of the Premises

Monday to Sunday 10.00 to 01:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 01:00

Representations Received

·       Metropolitan Police Service (PC Adam Deweltz)

·       Environmental Health Service (“EHS”) (Maxwell Koduah)

·       Licensing Authority (Michelle Steward)

·       The Soho Society and two local residents objected to the application

·       Five local residents in support of the application

Summary of issues raised by objectors

·       The application as presented would have the likely effect of causing an increase in Public Nuisance and may affect Public Safety within the area.  The application is also not within the Council’s Core Hours Policy.

·       The surrounding area already experienced noise and disruption from the many licensed premises in the vicinity and the granting of this application would only exacerbate the current issues arising.

Policy Position

Under policy HRS1 applications for hours within the Council’s core hours policy would generally be granted, subject to not being contrary to other policies in the Statement of Licensing Policy.

DECISION

Having carefully considered the committee papers and the submissions made by all of the parties, both orally and in writing, the Committee has decided, after taking into account all of the individual circumstances of this case and the promotion of the four licensing objectives to grant the application subject to additional and amended conditions and an amendment to the hours requested.

The Sub-Committee heard a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.