A Kensington and Chelsea resident is worried that a shadow licence application for Azteca, a bar and restaurant at 329 King's Road, could worsen existing noise issues. The application, submitted by Sloane Stanley Estate Limited, seeks to mirror the terms of the existing premises licence held by Azteca (Chelsea) Limited. The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene on Tuesday 22 July 2025 to discuss the application, but the meeting was postponed. A new date has not been set.
Sloane Stanley Estate Limited is the landlord of the premises, and Azteca (Chelsea) Limited is the tenant. Shadow licences are often sought by landlords to ensure a licence remains in place if the current tenant's licence lapses or is revoked.
The existing licence, as detailed in Appendix A - Current Licence, permits:
- Sale by retail of alcohol - on the premises
- Provision of late night refreshments - indoors
- Playing of recorded music - indoors
The hours requested in the application are identical to the current licence:
- Sale of alcohol: Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 24:00, Sunday 12:00 to 23:30
- Late night refreshments: Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 24:00, Sunday 23:00 to 23:30
- Recorded music: Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 24:00, Sunday 11:00 to 23:30
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 00:30, Sunday 11:00 to 24:00.
However, Mr Simon Hollifield, a resident living in the flat immediately above Azteca, has voiced strong objections, citing concerns about noise disturbances. In his representation, included as Appendix D - Representation, Mr Hollifield stated:
These noise issues have had a significant impact on our quality of life in the time the premises has been trading at this address. Sleep for my 13 year old daughter is regularly disrupted on all nights of the week and the noise is audible with the windows closed. Opening the windows is difficult not only for the noise but also due to the smoke from customers and staff smoking below.
Mr Hollifield's concerns relate to amplified music late in the evening, as well as noise from customers and staff congregating outside the premises to smoke and converse during opening hours and at closing time (around 00:30).
He also fears that granting a shadow licence could allow these issues to continue or worsen, even if the current licence is reviewed or revoked, potentially undermining enforcement efforts.
Mr. Hollifield also stated: We have made many complaints to the noise department of the council over recent years regarding the premises and have also had previous objections to licence changes upheld based on the evidence given regarding these issues. The business was previously moved from another address further up Kings Road due to similar issues with public nuisance many years back.
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According to the report, no noise/nuisance complaints had been received in the preceding 24 months.
The applicant stated that the steps to promote the licensing objectives were based on the exact same terms as the granted licence numbered LICPR/07/023727/3. However, the report also mentions that if the Committee is minded to grant the licence, conditions may be attached to the licence to alleviate the concerns raised through representations.
Planning officer Mr Matthew Evans reviewed the planning history and found no conflict between the planning history for the site and what the licensee proposed, as detailed in Appendix E - Planning.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application, the representation received, and determine whether to grant the licence, modify its conditions, or reject the application, while acting with a view to promoting the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
A map detailing the location of the premises at 329 King's Road, nearby licensed establishments, and the location of both objectors and supporters.
The proposed ground floor plan for Azteca.
The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene to discuss the application on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, at Kensington Town Hall, but the meeting was postponed. Further details can be found on the Kensington and Chelsea Council website and the meeting agenda.
- The report states that at the time of writing, no noise/nuisance complaints had been received in the preceding 24 months. However, Mr. Hollifield stated: >We have made many complaints to the noise department of the council over recent years regarding the premises and have also had previous objections to licence changes upheld based on the evidence given regarding these issues. >The business was previously moved from another address further up Kings Road due to similar issues with public nuisance many years back.