A Piccadilly Circus kiosk's application for an alcohol licence has met with objections from the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health Service.

London City Foods Ltd. has applied for a new premises licence for Unit 12, Piccadilly Circus Station. According to the application, the premises operates as a small, self- contained kiosk located at Piccadilly underground station, providing essential goods and services to the public...operating primarily for the sale of convenience goods, hot & cold drinks, mobile top-ups, parcel services .

The application, which was considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council on Thursday 17 July 2025, seeks permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 11:00 and 23:00, and until 21:00 on Sundays. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Maggie Carman, Deputy Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care, Supported and Specialist Housing.

The interior of Unit 12, Piccadilly Circus Station, showing the kiosk's selection of drinks and snacks.
The interior of Unit 12, Piccadilly Circus Station, showing the kiosk's selection of drinks and snacks.

However, the application has faced opposition from several parties.

PC Steve Muldoon, representing the Metropolitan Police Service, objected to the application, stating that granting the licence would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective. He noted that the premises is within a cumulative impact zone known for crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. The wider area is high in crime both day and night. He expressed concern that granting the application would likely increase street crime and street drinking.

Fabiola Kouadio, representing the Environmental Health Service, also raised concerns, stating that the provision of alcohol and the requested hours could increase public nuisance and impact public safety. The Environmental Health Service agreed to withdraw their representation if the applicant agreed to the following conditions:

  1. The premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system as per the minimum requirements of the Westminster Police Licensing Team.
  2. A staff member from the premises who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be on the premises at all times when the premises is open.
  3. A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises.
  4. An incident log shall be kept at the premises and made available on request.

Karyn Abbott, representing the Licensing Authority, requested that the application comply with policy SHP1 clause C 3, which states that the sale of alcohol must be ancillary to the primary use of the premises. Policy SHP1 clause C 3 states: The licensable activity of the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises must be an ancillary function to the primary use of the premises unless that primary use is to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, e.g. a traditional off licence. This policy applies to the kiosk because the Licensing Authority notes within the operating schedule that the premises operates as a small, self-contained kiosk located at Piccadilly underground station, providing essential goods and services to the public.

The Licensing Authority also requested further submissions as to what alcohol would be sold at the premises, and encouraged the applicant to consider model conditions MC17, MC29, MC30, MC31 and MC32. London City Foods Ltd. intends to sell premium wines and beers . They also initially intended to sell a limited range of spirits, with a strong emphasis on responsible retailing , but agreed to not sell any single miniatures (less than 200ml) and no bottles of spirits above 40% ABV.

The model conditions are:

  • MC17 - All sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises shall be in sealed containers only. and shall not be consumed on the premises.
  • MC29 - No super-strength beer, lagers, ciders or spirit mixtures of 5.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) or above shall be sold at the premises, except for premium beers and ciders supplied in glass bottles and cans.
  • MC30 - No single cans or bottles of beer or cider or spirit mixtures shall be sold at the premises.
  • MC31 - No more than (15)% of the sales area shall be used at any one time for the sale, exposure for sale, or display of alcohol.
  • MC32 - There shall be no self-selection of spirits on the premises, save for spirit mixtures less than 5.5% ABV.

The Licensing Authority encouraged the applicant to consider these model conditions to be part of the operating schedule.

The sub-committee also considered applications for Eureka, 46 Warwick Way, Kung Fu Mama, 80 Long Acre, and Dear Darling, 91 Jermyn Street.