L'Ami Jac, a wine bar at 94 Shepherd's Bush Road, has been granted an extended hours licence to show World Cup matches, following a decision by the Hammersmith and Fulham Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday, June 22, 2026. The Temporary Event Notice (TEN) allows the venue to sell alcohol and provide late-night refreshments from June 25 to July 1, 2026, with a key condition that alcohol sales must cease at 11:30 PM.
The committee's decision considered the promotion of four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. They deemed the 11:30 PM alcohol sales cut-off sufficient to uphold these objectives, particularly the prevention of public nuisance.
The approval was not without contention. The council's Noise and Nuisance Team, represented by Investigator John Garcia, lodged an objection, citing a history of 73 noise complaints from two neighbours, one of whom is described as particularly sensitive. Garcia expressed concern that seven consecutive days of extended hours, initially requested until 1 AM, would significantly increase the risk of public nuisance.
Applicant Jonathan Koo argued that the extended hours were necessary due to hot weather making indoor seating less appealing, with most customers preferring to sit outside. He stated his intention to stop alcohol sales at 11:30 PM and have customers leave by midnight or 12:30 AM at the latest. Koo also claimed that the majority of complaints originated from a single neighbour, whom he described as harassing and making false complaints.
During the hearing, Mr. Koo detailed the neighbour's alleged behaviour, stating he had threatened me. Right? Multiple occasions. On multiple occasions. Right?
He also claimed the neighbour scares our customers, our female customers. Right. On a constant basis, take videos, take pictures, spits at me on a regular basis.
Mr. Koo added that the neighbour has even banged on the floor of his thing where it shook and bits of the ceiling have come down on my customer's head.
The police, he noted, had advised him to just ignore him.
Councillors questioned how customer numbers would be managed to prevent overcrowding and noise, especially when customers might step outside. Mr. Koo explained that L'Ami Jac has a maximum capacity of 30 people. He stated that on warmer evenings, only about eight people could fit outside, and that by 9 PM or 10 PM, there were typically no more than 20 customers. He also highlighted the lack of air conditioning, with temperatures potentially reaching 50 degrees
indoors.
Regarding noise from patrons leaving, Mr. Koo assured the committee, I will not. I will not sell to anybody after 11.30pm. Because we have to be respectful for our neighbors.
He added that if customers became rowdy, he would offer them water and ask them to leave respectfully, warning that repeat offenders would not be allowed back.
Mr. Koo also addressed concerns about noise during matches, stating he had not shown a game after 11 o'clock
and would close the premises if late games extended beyond midnight, asking patrons to finish your drinks? And can you like, you know, pay up and leave? But can you please leave in a respectable manner that you don't annoy the neighbors? Please be mindful of the neighbors.
The committee ultimately approved the TEN with the condition that alcohol sales would end at 11:30 PM. The full decision will be communicated to the parties involved, and the applicant has the right to appeal. The current premises licence for L'Ami Jac permits alcohol sales only until 9:30 PM, with the venue closing at 10:00 PM.
Public reports pack 22nd-Jun-2026 14.00 Licensing Sub-Committee
