A Shepherd's Bush pub, 'The Green' located on Uxbridge Road, has applied for a variation to its premises licence, seeking extended hours and changes to existing conditions. The application, detailed in the LSC Report The Green, has met with both support and opposition from local residents, the Environmental Protection Team, and local councillors.
The Stonegate Group, on behalf of The Craft Union Pub Company Ltd, submitted the application to Hammersmith and Fulham Council, requesting to modify the existing licence to include:
- An extension of the terminal hour for licensable activities to 1am from Sunday to Thursday, and to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Amendment of the condition that alcohol shall not be served before 11:00 on Saturdays when Queens Park Rangers (QPR) (male first team) play at home and the kick-off time is 15:00 or anytime thereafter. Also, alcohol shall not be served before 10:00 on Saturdays when QPR (male first team) play at home and the kick-off time is between 12:30 and 14:59.
- Amendment of the condition that there shall be no admission of new customers to the premises after midnight, to instead state that there shall be no admission of new customers to the premises after 1am.
- Amendment of the condition that children under 16 years of age shall not be allowed on the premises after 7pm daily, to instead allow them until 9pm daily.
The Licensing Section received 35 representations opposing the application, including concerns from local residents, Councillor Umeh (Shepherds Bush Green Ward), and initially, the Environmental Protection Team. Four representations supporting the application were also received.
Objections from Residents
Residents raised concerns that extending the opening hours of The Green would lead to an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. One resident stated:
As residence we already have broken sleep from a combination of gangs doing deals off the main arterial routes, drug takers using and creating disturbances, antisocial behaviour and fouling the pavements, on top of which we then have drunken, loud and antisocial behaviour whenever there is the fun fair on the Green, the Carnival or hot weather in general due to the lacks licensing hours and lack of policing resource. Outside of winter, it is unusual for us to have sleep unbroken by noise and disturbance, this is especially difficult for our teenage children at school. This application would further add to what is an increasingly intolerable experience as a resident.
Another resident, living in the same building as the pub, complained about existing noise issues, stating that the pub already played music late at night past permitted hours, causing the whole building to shake.
Environmental Protection Team's Concerns
The Noise and Nuisance Officer for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Mr John Garcia, initially objected to the application, raising concerns about the potential impact of the proposed changes on residents, particularly regarding noise and disturbances during late-night and early-morning hours. However, following discussions with the applicant, Mr Garcia withdrew his objection, stating that he was satisfied with the agreement reached between the premises and the relevant parties, particularly regarding the final conditions that had been implemented. The agreement included safeguards introduced by the Police, and the Noise and Nuisance team is confident that there will be no future impacts related to noise, anti-social behaviour, or concerns regarding the safety of children that could affect residents. Further details can be found in Appendix 4 - Environmental Protection Representation Conciliation.
Councillor Umeh's Concerns
Councillor Umeh also initially objected to the application, raising concerns about the potential impact of the proposed changes on public nuisance, crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm. She requested a comprehensive noise management plan, additional security measures and a clear dispersal policy be considered if such an extension was granted.
Councillor Umeh also stated that she strongly opposed the removal of the condition that alcohol shall not be served before 11am on Saturdays when QPR play at home.
Representations in Support
Some representations were received in support of the application. Supporters argued that the proposed changes would bring positive benefits to the area and reflect the evolving needs of the local community. They stated that the area lacked late-night venues and that extending the hours at The Green would help address this issue in a sensible and community-focused way. One supporter wrote that local crime data showed no evidence linking disorder to licensed premises, and that the area lacked late-night venues despite local demand.
Licensing Enforcement Visit
A licensing enforcement officer, Fabien Simms, visited The Green on 18 July 2025. He reported that no issues or breaches were spotted, and that the designated premises supervisor (DPS) Peter Thomas Montague Altwegg Restell was very knowledgeable and ran through the requirements, the measurements etc pretty much off the top of his head and knew the licence conditions details and the issues in the area.
Revised Application and Conditions
Following concerns raised, the applicant revised the application, reducing the extension of hours sought and amending conditions relating to QPR matchdays and the admission of new customers. Additional conditions were also agreed with the police, including:
- Alcohol shall not be served before 11am on Saturdays when QPR (male first team) play at home and the Kick off time is 15:00hrs or anytime thereafter.
- Alcohol shall not be served before 10am on Saturdays when QPR (male first team) play at home and the Kick off time is between 12:30hrs and 14:59hrs
- Alter the Last Entry condition to be at 01:00hrs instead of full removal.
- On Friday & Saturday nights when the premises intends to operate for the sale of alcohol beyond 01:00hrs, a minimum of 2 SIA registered Door Supervisors shall be on duty at the premises from 21:00hrs.
- There shall be no new entry or re-entry to the premises after 01:00hrs.
The specific concerns of the police that led to these additional conditions are not explicitly detailed, but the conditions themselves, found in Appendix 3 - Additional Conditions Agreed with Police, address potential issues related to alcohol sales during QPR match times, late-night entry, and security staffing.
Council Policy
The Licensing Sub-Committee is asked to consider the application in light of the council's Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP). The SLP states that the Licensing Authority is keen to support the licensed sector and leisure offer within the borough, with a particular focus on business resilience and growing a robust and thriving cultural and leisure sector. The Licensing Authority will also require applicants to detail in their operating schedule the steps proposed to promote the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
Next Steps
The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene remotely to consider the application. The Sub-Committee will take into account the representations received, the applicant's operating schedule, the council's licensing policy, and relevant guidance to determine whether to grant the application in full, grant it in part with modifications, or reject it.
Metropolitan Police data for Shepherd's Bush Green shows that violence & sexual offences, shoplifting, and theft from the person are the most reported crimes.
