A Holland Park restaurant has been granted a variation to its licence, allowing for the sale of alcohol on the premises and extended operating hours, following extensive negotiations and the agreement of several conditions aimed at mitigating potential public nuisance.
Dajoo, located at 116 Holland Park Avenue, received the licence variation from the Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The application, initially met with objections from residents and local councillors, sought to extend Sunday off-sales of alcohol by 30 minutes and permit on-site alcohol sales from 8 am to 11 pm daily. It also requested permission for live music, recorded music, and dancing indoors.
During the hearing, Mr. Ali Nazaripur, director of Perseus Hospitality, emphasised that Dajoo is a small, local restaurant with a capacity for approximately 20 seated customers. He stated, We want to be a member of the community and trying to establish a very close link with the community.
He assured the committee that alcohol sales would be ancillary to food and that only wine and one type of beer would be offered. The application sought permission for live music, recorded music, dance, and similar activities indoors.
To manage potential nuisance, it was agreed that All music to be relayed through a sound-limiting device.
Additionally, the applicant stated, we will not advertise and say, oh, every Sunday live music and all that, because that is not what you're about.
The agreed conditions also stipulated that Alcohol and music sales to cease at 11pm.
For private events, the applicant mentioned, they bring the music and then we, we have the facility for the noise limiting.
However, Ms. Paulette Rowe, a resident, voiced concerns about the potential for public nuisance and a shift in the premises' character. She argued that the proposed hours lacked exceptional justification and could lead to street drinking and littering. Initial objections from RBKC Noise, Councillor Petit, and former Councillor Lindsay were withdrawn following amendments and agreements. Ms. Paulette Rowe remained as the sole objector, but her objections were addressed through the agreed conditions, leading to the withdrawal of her objection as well.
Concerns were also raised about congestion from deliveries, particularly on Portland Road, which directly abuts residential properties.
Mitigation plans included a condition that Deliveries to be conducted solely via the Holland Park Avenue entrance, with no delivery vehicles permitted to park or wait on Portland Road or Holland Park Terrace after 11pm.
The applicant also stated that deliveries are currently done through delivery apps, with drivers coming inside the premises to collect orders and then leaving, and that they temporarily stay in Holland Park Avenue
where there is parking space.
To address these concerns, a series of conditions were agreed upon, which were incorporated into the operating schedule. These include a terminal hour of 11 pm for alcohol and music sales, with no off-sales after this time. All doors and windows on the Portland Road and Holland Park Terrace elevations must be kept closed after 9 pm, except for essential access. The premises will operate strictly as a restaurant, with alcohol served only to those taking a substantial table meal, and no vertical drinking will be permitted. No glass bottles will be permitted in street or external bins between 9 pm and 8 am. Consumption of food and drink in external seating areas will cease after 10 pm.
A dispersal policy will be implemented to direct patrons towards Holland Park Avenue and away from Portland Road and Holland Park Terrace. Deliveries will be managed exclusively via the Holland Park Avenue entrance. A sound limiter will be installed for all music, and external seating areas will not be used after 10 pm.
The committee, chaired by Councillor Greg Hammond, granted the variation, acknowledging the agreed conditions that aim to ensure the restaurant's operation is managed responsibly and upholds the licensing objectives. Further details of the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.
