The Three Crowns Public House is facing objections from local residents as it seeks to extend its opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 01:00. The application, submitted by Spirit Pub Company (Services) Limited, was discussed at a Westminster Council Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Thursday 26 June 2025.
The pub, located at 19 Babmaes Street, currently has permission to serve late night refreshments and alcohol, provide live music indoors, and open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The application seeks to extend these hours by one hour. While the Metropolitan Police initially objected to the application, they withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to further conditions. The police initially believed the extension would undermine licensing objectives related to crime, disorder and public nuisance. According to the Public Reports Pack, the agreed conditions are detailed in Appendix 4 of that document.
However, representations from local residents have raised concerns about potential public nuisance. One resident stated:
I strongly object to an extension of the pub's hours to 1 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Babmaes Street. The off-premises drinking causes substantial noise at is night. Frequently patrons stand in Jermyn Street or Eagle passage, of
This definitely disturbs sleep and makes getting to sleep difficult, not only up to closing time, but for sometime after, in the case of the variant times, up to and after 1 am.
This is simply unacceptable for an area with
In response to these concerns, the applicant, represented by Ewen Macgregor, Partner For TLT LLP, offered additional conditions, including employing door security, providing a direct telephone line for the manager, implementing a dispersal policy, and displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents. Mr Macgregor also circulated a draft Dispersal management plan to residents.
The Licensing Sub-Committee, comprised of Councillor Aziz Toki (Chair), Councillor Angela Piddock, and Councillor Karen Scarborough, heard from Stef O'Shea, representing objectors David Waddell and Tom Sweet-Escott, who argued that the extended hours would increase anti-social behaviour and disturbance. Ms. O'Shea stated that the objectors believe that there are more than 54 residents in the area and the objector's representations were read. It was emphasized that the operation of the Premises caused a noise nuisance and residents were suffering, especially when patrons were leaving the Premises. The objectors do not want the extra hours granted and in fact, would prefer the pub not to exist.
Despite the objections, the committee ultimately voted to grant the variation, citing the lack of objections from the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health Services, as well as the additional conditions offered by the applicant. The committee noted that a Premises Licence with the agreed conditions will afford the community with more and better protection, than the current conditions on the Premises Licence and they will further promote the Licensing Objectives. This decision aligns with Westminster Council's licensing policy, which considers the specific merits of each case, including agreed conditions. The Minutes state that the new license conditions will offer better protection for the community and further promote the Licensing Objectives.
Notably, the Minutes also indicate that neither the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) nor Environmental Health Services (EHS) had a record of complaints against the Three Crowns. The EHS confirmed to the Committee that they have no records of any complaints stemming from the operation of the Premises.
The new conditions include:
- Employing registered door security from 21:00 until 30 minutes after the end of licensable activities.
- Making a direct telephone number for the manager publicly available.
- Complying with a dispersal plan.
- Displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents.
- Ceasing all drinking immediately outside the Premises no later than 23:00.
- Only permitting non-glass drinking vessels outside after 22:00.
The effectiveness of the dispersal plan will be monitored through compliance checks by the Police and the Licensing Authority, as well as through responses to any residential complaints. According to the Minutes, the Premises Licence Holder must comply with the dispersal plan, which can be amended, and copies must be available at the Premises for the Police and Licensing Authority. The plan must address the management of customers outside the premises, including their arrival, departure, and dispersal, whether on foot or by vehicle. The plan will be reviewed annually or when issues arise. All staff, including door supervisors, will be trained on the dispersal plan, with records of training kept for at least one year and made available to authorities upon request.
The Public Reports Pack presented to the sub-committee included a map showing the location of the Three Crowns Public House and other licensed premises in the vicinity. Appendix 5 of the pack lists other licensed premises within 75m of 19 Babmaes Street, including Rowleys, Vue Cinema, Tesco Metro, Papa L's Kitchen, Jermyn Street Theatre, and Naval & Military Club.