Regent's Park visitors may soon be able to purchase alcohol to enjoy outside the Benugo Waterside Cafe, if a new application is approved.

The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council is set to consider a new premises licence for the Benugo Waterside Cafe, located on the Outer Circle in Regent's Park. The application, submitted by Benugo Limited, seeks permission for off sales of alcohol, meaning customers can purchase alcohol to consume elsewhere. The report states that the alcohol selection will be modest, including limited beers, wines, spirits, and lagers.

According to the agenda for the meeting on Thursday 24 July 2025, the cafe intends to operate on one floor within Regent's Park, with outside seating available for customers. The Public reports pack notes that Benugo Limited originally applied for a licence to sell alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises. However, following consultation with Environmental Health, the applicant withdrew their request for on-site sales and is now only seeking a licence for off-site sales. This withdrawal came after an agreement on several conditions, including that alcohol sales must be ancillary to the cafe's main function, all off-site alcohol sales must be in non-glass containers, and no super-strength beers, lagers, ciders, or spirit mixtures above 5.5% ABV will be sold. Furthermore, no more than 15% of the sales area can be used for alcohol display, and if the premises are open after 21:00, all alcohol must be secured to prevent access.

The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) will be comprised of Councillor Maggie Carman (Deputy Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care, Supported and Specialist Housing), Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury (Deputy Cabinet Member - Streets and Lead Member - Edgware Road Champion) and Councillor Karen Scarborough.

According to the Public reports pack, representations have been received from other persons, both in support of and objecting to the application. Those objecting are concerned about the sale of alcohol without food, and the potential for the premises to function as a bar. Supporters say that Benugo venues are extremely well run by sensible staff.

The report also notes that a representation was initially received from Environmental Health but was later withdrawn on 2 June 2025, following an agreement of conditions with the applicant. These conditions also include measures to manage litter and waste arising from customers outside the premises1. Similarly, a representation from the Metropolitan Police Service was withdrawn on 7 April 2025.

The sub-committee is advised to consider the City of Westminster statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and any guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 the Licensing Act 2003. The sub-committee is also advised of the core hours set out in the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021, which for restaurants are:

  • Monday to Thursday: 09:00 to 23:30
  • Friday and Saturday: 09:00 to 24:00
  • Sunday: 09:00 to 22:30
  • Sundays Immediately Prior To A Bank Holiday: 09:00 to 24:00

1 The full list of conditions agreed upon between Benugo and Environmental Health are:

  • The licensable activities authorised by this licence and provided at the premises shall be ancillary to the main function of the premises as a café.
  • All sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises shall be in non-glass containers
  • There shall be no self-selection of spirits on the premises, save for spirit mixtures less than 5.5% ABV.
  • No super-strength beer, lagers, ciders or spirit mixtures of 5.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) or above shall be sold at the premises.
  • 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.
  • If the premises is open to the public after 21:00 hours then the licence holder shall ensure that all alcohol within the premises (including alcohol behind the counter) is secured in a locked storeroom or behind locked grilles, locked screens or locked cabinet doors so as to prevent access to the alcohol by both customers and staff.
  • During the hours of operation of the premises, the licence holder shall ensure sufficient measures are in place to remove and prevent litter or waste arising or accumulating from customers in the area immediately outside the premises, and that this area shall be swept and or washed, and litter and sweepings collected and stored in accordance with the approved refuse storage arrangements by close of business.