Agenda and minutes

To report any 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.

WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE NO.2

(“The Committee”)

Thursday 4 August 2022 – Item 1

Membership:       Councillor Carman (Chair), Councillor Chowdhury and

      Councillor Sargent

Officer Support   Legal Adviser:              Viviene Walker

                           Policy Officer:               Kerry Simpkin

                           Committee Officer:       Jack Robinson-Young

                            Presenting Officer:       Kevin Jackaman

Present:              Natalia Santis (Java Whiskers UK Limited), Richard Brown (Westminster Citizens Advice).

Application for a Variation of Premises Licence in respect of Java Whiskers 105 Great Portland Street London W1W 6QF 22/04134/LIPV

                                                     Full Decision

Premises

105 Great Portland Street

Applicant

Java Whiskers UK Limited

Cumulative Impact Area

None

Ward

West End

Special Consideration Zone

None

Summary of Application

The Sub-Committee has determined an application for a Variation of a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 (“The Act”). The Premises operate as a cat café offering a menu of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and baked goods alongside resident cats for customers to spend time with and possibly adopt. Customers are required to book in advance to reserve their slot.

The Premises have had the benefit of a Licence since May 2021. The Premises Licence Holder seeks to add the sale of alcohol in the basement area in addition to the ground floor area as shown on the Premises Plan.

There is a resident count of 114.

Representations received

•        2 Local residents

Summary of issues raised by objectors

The Residents stated:

·       We are concerned about any change in business practices which may disturb our residents and many neighbours as we have enjoyed living in this very quiet corner of Fitzrovia outside the traditional rush hours for decades.

·       We are unable to understand the need for anyone needing a drink from 9 am to 10 pm seven days per week to stroke a cat or decide to rescue/give a cat a home.

·       The hours proposed are well outside what is “normal” for the area.

·       There is huge potential to be a public nuisance and the proposed changes would disturb any residents locally.

Policy Position

HRS1

Applications for hours outside the core hours set out in Clause C will be considered on their merits, subject to other relevant policies and with particular regard to the matters set out in Policy HRS1.

RNT1

Applications outside the West End Cumulative Impact Zone will generally be granted subject to:  1.  The application meeting the requirements of policies CD1, PS1, PN1and CH1. 2.  The hours for licensable activities being within the Council’s Core Hours Policy HRS1.

SUBMISSIONS AND REASONS

Mr. Kevin Jackaman, Senior Licensing Officer, outlined the application before the Sub-Committee.

Ms Natalia Santis, for the Applicant, addressed he Sub-Committee and stated that she was aware that the resident’s representative at the Sub-Committee, Mr Richard Brown, was worried about the amount of people within the premises. She explained that there is a limited number of seats with a limited number of alcoholic drinks to be served. Previously the Premises were only using the ground floor with 14 people and have now requested to have 16 people in this area as well as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The application was withdrawn by the Applicant.