A new restaurant in Sloane Square is seeking a late-night licence, sparking concerns from local residents about potential disturbances.
Cadogan Estates Limited has applied for a premises licence for 1-6 Sloane Square, aiming to operate a restaurant with a bar and external seating until 2:00 AM on weekdays and 11:00 PM on Sundays. The application, scheduled for review by the Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee on 22 July 2025, includes the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshments.
The proposed hours are:
- Sale of alcohol: Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 02:00; Sunday, 09:00 to 23:00
- Late night refreshments (indoors): Monday to Saturday, 23:00 to 02:00
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 02:30; Sunday, 09:00 to 23:30
The application also seeks extended hours for New Year's Eve and Sundays before bank holidays.
To address potential concerns, Cadogan Estates has volunteered several measures to promote licensing objectives. These include waiter service for alcohol, the availability of substantial food and non-alcoholic beverages, a 'Challenge 25' policy, CCTV operation, and a Dispersal and External Management Plan. The Public Reports Pack details these proposed steps.
The 'Challenge 25' policy requires staff to ask for proof of age from anyone they suspect of being less than 25 years of age. Acceptable forms of identification are a photo style driving licence, a passport, a photo identification card bearing the PASS logo in a hologram format, military ID or recognised national photographic identity cards from member countries of the European Union. A notice will be clearly displayed on the Premises showing that a Challenge 25 policy is operated at the Premises.
The 'Dispersal and External Management Plan' aims to ensure a quiet, controlled, and swift dispersal of guests, particularly at night, to prevent public nuisance. The plan details procedures, management controls, and practical steps, including measures to control noise generated by patrons entering or leaving the premises. It will be enforced through procedures, management controls and practical steps, including all measures to control any noise generated by patrons entering or leaving the Premises. The Premises Licence holder shall have regard to any recommendations of the Licensing Authority, Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health into the Plan. Once the revised Plan has been finalised, the Premises Licence Holder shall implement and comply with the Plan at all times. A copy of the revised Plan shall be sent to the Licensing Authority, Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health within 5 working days of it being revised. Any further amendments to the Plan shall be submitted to the Licensing Authority within 28 days of the revision.
However, the application has met with resistance from local residents. Eight representations opposing the licence have been received, citing concerns about noise, anti-social behaviour, increased theft, and disturbance to residents in nearby Cliveden Place. Residents fear that the late hours will disrupt their quiet enjoyment of their homes, particularly those in the residential apartments above the premises and opposite.
Concerns raised include:
- Opposition to the late licence until 02:00 due to the proximity to the residential Cliveden Place.
- Risk of disturbing residents' quiet enjoyment of their homes, particularly those in the 25 residential apartments above the premises and the 50 apartments opposite.
- Concerns about an increase in theft in the area due to the presence of outdoor seating late in the evening.
- Risk of anti-social behaviour and impaired judgement from intoxicated patrons due to the sale of alcohol until 02:00 six days a week.
Residents cite a recent rise in theft locally, with concerns that outdoor seating late in the evening will attract more thieves to the area. One resident, Jean Woolley, stated, there has been a rise recently in theft locally. Thieves are attracted by the 'easy pickings' of mobile phones being used in the street, handbags placed on outside tables etc. and with more street tables being occupied until late, more thieves will be attracted.
Residents have suggested several recommendations if the licence is granted, including a terminal hour of 24:00, provision of SIA security, installation of double doors to reduce noise, and restrictions on customer exits. The Appendix C- Representations document contains the full list of resident concerns.
The Planning Officer has raised no objections to the application, stating that there were no planning restrictions or conditions which the Sub Committee should be aware of.
If the licence is granted and residents believe the restaurant is violating its terms, 'other persons' and 'responsible authorities' have the ability to apply for the licence to be reviewed if the premises operate in a manner that does not promote the licensing objectives.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider all representations and available information before making a decision.
The agenda for the meeting is available online.
