Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has postponed a decision on a controversial application for a new premises licence at Leconfield House on Curzon Street, delaying the outcome to allow for further information to be provided by the applicant.
The application, submitted by Leconfield House Limited, seeks to operate the building as a private office and co-working space with ancillary food and beverage facilities, including the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment. However, the proposal has faced significant objections from interested parties, including Chesterfield House Management Limited and other residents.
Concerns raised by objectors primarily revolved around the potential for public nuisance, particularly noise and disturbance from late-night operations. Specific concerns from Chesterfield House Management Limited include the potential for the venue to operate as a private members' club rather than a genuine office space, the building's planning history (previous proposals for hotels and members' clubs being refused), the potential for noise and disturbance from late-night alcohol sales, music, and film screenings, and the applicant's marketing materials describing the venue as an 'ultra-exclusive club'. They also raised concerns about the scale of the proposed operation and the applicant's intention to circumvent planning restrictions.
The proposed hours for the sale of alcohol are Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 01:00. Regulated entertainment, specifically film screenings, is proposed Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 01:00 in the basement only. These hours extend beyond the 'core hours' for restaurants and bars, which typically end at 23:30 on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 22:30 on Sundays. The Environmental Health Service also raised concerns about public nuisance and public safety due to these proposed hours. The definition of 'core hours' as understood by the Environmental Health Service is defined in the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 as when customers are permitted to be on the Premises. For 'Pubs and bars, Fast Food and Music and Dance venues', core hours are Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:30, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 24:00, and Sunday: 12:00 to 22:30.
The applicant's representatives argued that the proposed uses were primarily for high-spec office and co-working space, with licensable activities being ancillary. They presented expert reports on acoustics and transport, aiming to demonstrate that noise and traffic impacts would be minimal and well-managed. The applicant's representatives argued that the proposed uses, particularly the late-night alcohol sales, music, and film screenings, were not genuinely ancillary to an office use and were an attempt to circumvent planning restrictions. The applicant's witness statement describes the licensable activities as 'ancillary food and beverage facilities, including the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment (film), and late-night refreshment' and that these 'would in effect occupy about 16.5% of the building with the remaining space given entirely over to office use'.
However, objectors raised concerns about the scale of the proposed operation and the applicant's marketing materials, which described the venue as an ultra-exclusive club
and a fellowship of remarkable people.
They argued that the proposed uses were not genuinely ancillary to an office use. The applicant's plan for managing the 'ultra-exclusive club' perception and aligning it with a genuine office and co-working space involves several measures: restricting access to 'business members and their bona fide guests' and 'Directors and employees of the licence holder and its affiliated companies and their bona fide guests', maintaining registers of members and guests, and emphasizing that the licensable activities are ancillary to the main function of private offices and co-working. The applicant's witness statement also describes the provision of 'state-of-the-art technology', 'AI-enabled networking', and 'industry specific events – aimed at networking and connecting people' as part of the business offering.
The proposed capacity for the seventh-floor terrace is limited to 75 persons (excluding staff). The projected numbers of people using the co-working space at any given time are not explicitly stated, but the applicant's witness statement mentions that the typical occupancy of the building on any given day is anticipated to be between [redacted] - a reduction in terms of capacity of how the building has been and could be used; giving a very relaxed feel and plenty of space for members of the workspace to enjoy.
While the Metropolitan Police Service initially made representations, these were subsequently withdrawn following agreed conditions.
Due to the complexity of the issues and the significant number of representations received, the committee decided to postpone a decision. The committee requested further information and clarification from the applicant on several points, including detailed noise assessments for all licensable areas and a comprehensive operational management plan.
A further hearing will be scheduled once this information has been provided and reviewed.
