Agenda and decisions

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee (“Committee”)

25 January 2024

Present at Hearing:-

Committee:              Councillor Toby Benton (Chair)

                                Councillor Aarien Areti

                                Councillor Dori Schmetterling

Officers:                  David Williams (Licensing)

                                Lindsey Le Masurier (Legal)

                                Emily Beard (Governance)

                                Holly Weaver (Governance)

Applicant:                Chris Grunert (Instructing Solicitor)

                                Jose Manuel Prol Gomez (Applicant)

                                Juan Murillo Quiros (Applicant)

                                Francisco Javier Fernandez Hildago (Applicant)

Objector:                  Marco Pasi (Legal Adviser to Francesco Carenza)

Melia Hotel, 61 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4PE (“the Premises”)

The Committee has considered an application for the variation of a Premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the above Premises.

The Committee has considered the committee papers and the submissions made by all of the parties, both orally and in writing.

In reaching its determination, the Committee has had regard to the relevant legislation, the Secretary of State’s Guidance (“Guidance”) and The Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy (“SLP”).

During the course of the hearing, the Applicant advised that they would not be using the Premises for the playing of live music or the performance of dance or anything similar to live music and dance and that they would instead rely upon the use of the deregulated provisions if so required.  The Applicant therefore agreed to withdraw that part of their application relating to the playing of live music, performance of dance and entertainment similar to music and dance – indoors – at the Premises from 10:00 to 24:00 on Mondays to Sundays.

The Applicant had also applied to remove from the existing licence regulated entertainment for private use – indoors – relating to the performance of live music, dance and anything of a similar description at any time whilst the private use is taking place (unrestricted hours).

In summary, the Committee has determined, after taking into account all of the individual circumstances of this case and the promotion of the four licensing objectives:-

1.    To grant permission to extend the terminal hours for the sale by retail of alcohol on the Premises:-

Monday to Saturday             from 23:00 to 24:00

Sunday                                from 22:30 to 24:00

2.    To grant permission to extend the start of opening hours for the sale by retail of alcohol on the Premises:-

Sunday                                from 12:00 to 10:00

3.    To grant permission to extend the terminal hours for the sale by retail of alcohol off the Premises:-

Monday to Saturday             from 23:00 to 24:00

Sunday                                from 22:30 to 24:00

4.    To grant permission to extend the start of opening hours for the sale by retail of alcohol off the Premises:-

Sunday                                from 12:00 to 10:00

5.    To grant the application to remove the provision of regulated entertainment for private use – indoors – at the Premises in respect of the performance of live music, performance of dance and anything of a similar description at any time whilst the private use is taking place.

6.  To grant permission for the opening hours at the Premises to be:-

Monday to Sunday            from 00:00 to  ...  view the full decision text for item 1.