Westminster's Soho Society has voiced its opposition to a new coffee shop's application for a premises licence on Warwick Street, citing concerns about the location's proximity to the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The society argues that the applicant, Soho Sip Limited, has not adequately demonstrated how the coffee shop will avoid increasing the existing cumulative impact in the area and promote the licensing objectives.
The application, submitted to the Licensing Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster City Council, is for a new premises licence for the basement and ground floor of 11 Warwick Street. According to the agenda for the meeting on Thursday 24 July 2025, the sub-committee, consisting of Councillors Maggie Carman, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Karen Scarborough, is scheduled to review the application. The proposed operating hours for the coffee shop are 08:30 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday and 08:30 to 23:00 on Sunday.
The Public Reports Pack prepared for the meeting notes that Environmental Health and the Licensing Authority Representative initially raised concerns but withdrew their representations after agreeing to conditions with the applicant. Environmental Health had concerns that the application might increase public nuisance and impact public safety, while the Licensing Authority Representative noted the applicant had proposed very little detail within their operating schedule and encouraged the applicant to provide answers to questions included in the report. The specific conditions agreed upon are listed in the report.
However, the Soho Society's objection remains. The Soho Society objects to the application, stating that the premises is situated within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone and the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate they will not increase cumulative impact and will promote the licensing objectives. They cite data from the Council's own CIA 2023 and from the Police, which they believe means a new alcohol licence will fail to promote the licensing objectives and will increase cumulative impact. They highlight statistics related to violence, sexual offences, and the concentration of crime in the West End and St James's wards.
The Licensing Authority has also noted that the applicant has provided very little detail within their operating schedule and has encouraged the applicant to provide answers to questions included in the report. Specifically, the Licensing Authority is requesting answers to the following questions:
- Will the sale of alcohol be by waiter/waitress service or by way of vertical drinking?
- What types of alcohol will be sold?
- Can the applicant provide a menu or what type of food will be sold?
- What is the capacity of the premises?
- Will there be deliveries from the premises?
- If yes to question 5, What type of vehicles would be used for deliveries?
The sub-committee is advised to consider Westminster's 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 potential outcomes of the Licensing Sub-Committee's review are not explicitly stated, but factors that will influence their decision include representations from responsible authorities and other persons, the applicant's operating schedule, and the licensing objectives. 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
This is a new premises licence application therefore no licence history exists for Basement and Ground Floor, 11 Warwick Street.
