A popular Portobello Road restaurant, Ukai, is seeking a 'shadow license' from Kensington and Chelsea Council, mirroring its existing permissions. The application was heard by the Licensing Sub-Committee on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
Freshley Made LTD, trading as Ukai, applied for the new premises licence for 240 Portobello Road. The existing licence already permits a range of activities, including film exhibitions, indoor sporting events, live and recorded music, late-night refreshments, and alcohol sales. The application seeks to replicate these terms under a 'shadow licence'.
The application includes several proposed steps to promote licensing objectives, such as preventing customers from consuming drinks outside after 23:20 on weekdays and 22:50 on Sundays. The restaurant also plans to implement measures to prevent noise nuisance, including keeping external doors and windows shut after 21:00 and using a sound limiting device. They also intend to employ SIA-licensed door supervisors and maintain a CCTV system.
However, the licensing authority received two representations opposing the application, citing concerns about noise and disturbance to residents. The representations highlighted the potential for public nuisance, particularly regarding live and recorded music until 23:00 daily. The licensing authority also noted two complaints about the premises in the preceding 24 months, including allegations of a hostess preventing a customer from leaving and a drink spiking incident.
In a separate but related matter, another Licensing Sub-Committee convened to discuss an application by Larchbury Limited for a new premises licence for Basement and Ground Floor, 222 Portobello Road. This application also sought a 'shadow licence' to mirror the existing licence, which permits playing recorded music, late-night refreshments, and alcohol sales. The Ladbroke Association objected to some of the closing hours, requesting that alcohol sales cease no later than 24:00 on any day, with 30 minutes for late-night refreshments after closure. The Ladbroke Association argued that Portobello Road is largely residential and residents should not be subjected to late-night noise.