Westminster's Licensing Sub-Committee is reviewing a premises licence application for a restaurant on Paddington Square amid concerns from local residents about potential noise and disruption.
The application, submitted by Iconic Locations Paddington Co. Ltd for the 17th & 18th Floor, 1 Paddington Square, seeks permission to operate a fine dining restaurant and lounge bar with extended hours. The venue aims to offer plays, films, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshments, along with the sale of alcohol, between 09:00 and 02:00, with late night refreshment until 02:00, and opening until 02:30. The application is for a new premises licence, although the report pack noted that there was an existing premises licence at the premises (Licence number 21/00850/LIPN).
However, the proposals have faced objections from several quarters, including Environmental Health, the Hyde Park Estate Association (HPEA), the Paddington Waterways Maida Vale Society (PWMVS), and the South East Bayswater Residents Association (SEBRA).
Environmental Health has raised concerns that the proposals may undermine the licensing objectives of public safety and the prevention of public nuisance.
Residents, particularly those represented by the HPEA, have voiced concerns about potential noise emanating from the premises after closing. These concerns echo similar issues raised in other licensing applications, such as those related to Pepe's Piri Piri, where noise from customers and delivery drivers, as well as excessive car noise, were cited as potential disturbances.
The HPEA expressed concerns about the potential impact on all four licensing objectives: crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The association emphasised the need for appropriate conditions to protect residents' peace, quiet, and safety. The HPEA has requested specific conditions, including designated areas for vertical drinking (limited to 25% of floor space indoors and 25% of terrace areas outdoors), clarity on late-night refreshment hours, a requirement that alcohol service after midnight be accompanied by food served at a table, and a condition ensuring alcohol sales are secondary to the restaurant's primary function. They also suggested considering a condition regarding admittance cut-off times, increased supervision (especially near the lift on the ground floor), a dispersal plan for patrons leaving the premises, and clearly noted capacity limits on both floors.
The PWMVS objected to any extension of hours beyond midnight, highlighting that planning consent for 1 Paddington Square allows for a rooftop restaurant and public viewing walkway to be open only until midnight.
SEBRA also objected, citing potential nuisance, crime, and disorder, particularly given the late hours applied for and the absence of suitable conditions. They believe there should be no extension of hours to the existing Premises Licence, which are in line with the planning consent. SEBRA supports the points made by the HPEA in their representation. The existing premises licence (21/00850/LIPN) permits live music (Monday to Thursday: 09:00 to 23:30, Friday to Saturday: 09:00 to 22:30, Sundays immediately prior to a bank holiday: 09:00 to 00:00), recorded music (Monday to Thursday: 09:00 to 23:30, Friday to Saturday: 09:00 to 00:00, Sunday: 09:00 to 22:30, Sundays immediately prior to a bank holiday: 09:00 to 00:00), late night refreshment (Monday to Thursday: 23:00 to 23:30, Friday to Saturday: 23:00 to 00:00) and the sale of alcohol (Monday to Thursday: 09:00 to 23:30, Friday to Saturday: 09:00 to 00:00, Sunday: 09:00 to 22:30, Sundays immediately prior to a bank holiday: 09:00 to 00:00). The opening hours of the premises are Monday to Thursday: 09:00 to 23:30, Friday to Saturday: 09:00 to 00:00, Sunday: 09:00 to 22:30.
The Licensing Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Robert Eagleton, Deputy Cabinet Member - Housing, with Councillors Tim Mitchell and Hamza Taouzzale also in attendance, is scheduled to consider the application on Thursday 28 August 2025. The sub-committee will take into account Westminster's statement of Licensing Policy, effective from October 2021, and guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
The Public reports pack includes a residential map and a list of licensed premises within 75m of 1 Paddington Square.
