Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has granted late-night alcohol licences for several venues within the new Civic Campus development, despite objections from local residents concerned about noise and public nuisance.

The decision, made on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, allows for the sale of alcohol and provision of live and recorded music, films, and late-night refreshments until 3 am on most days across multiple venues within the Civic Campus, located on King Street.

Residents had raised objections regarding the proposed late operating hours, citing concerns about increased noise, crime, and public nuisance in what they described as a primarily residential area. Key concerns included the potential for noise spillover into neighbouring properties and the impact of patrons leaving premises late at night. One resident specifically voiced concerns that late-night opening always invit[es] crime and could potentially encourage drug dealers and rape gangs.

However, the applicant's solicitor, Alun Thomas, argued that the proposed hours were justified by the managed nature of the estate, the extensive mitigation measures in place, and the council's policy supporting growth in the night-time economy. The council's policy frames this growth as central to becoming a borough able to compete with the best, and the Mayor's pilot scheme also supports this agenda. The Civic Campus development itself is highlighted in the council's Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP) as a vibrant entertainment, arts, business, education and social destination intended to breathe life back into this part of King Street.

Map of the Hammersmith Civic Campus showing licensed areas and provisional statement locations.
Map of the Hammersmith Civic Campus showing licensed areas and provisional statement locations.

The committee granted a new premises licence for the H&F Civic Campus - Civic Avenue & Unity Square, permitting alcohol sales and entertainment until 3 am in the Civic Campus Building, while Civic Avenue and Unity Square will operate until 11 pm.

Six provisional statements for various areas within the Civic Campus development were also considered and granted. These include a rooftop restaurant and sky park, and five other units along Civic Avenue and King Street. For these provisional statements, licensable activities and opening hours were generally granted from 9 am to 3 am, with alcohol sales from 10 am to 3 am. Late-night refreshment is permitted from 11 pm to 3 am.

The five other provisional statement areas, beyond the rooftop restaurant and sky park, are located at:

  • 1 Civic Avenue, London W6 9ND
  • 2 Civic Avenue, London W6 9ND
  • Unit G2 Edmonia Lewis Building, 207 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9JU
  • Unit 2, 181 King Street, London W6 9JT
  • Unit 3, 181 King Street, London W6 9JT

These areas are intended for shell and core retail and leisure units which will include restaurants, bars, and external spaces.

An architectural rendering of the Civic Campus development in Hammersmith, London, detailing various venues and amenities.
An architectural rendering of the Civic Campus development in Hammersmith, London, detailing various venues and amenities.

To address residents' concerns about noise and public nuisance, extensive mitigation measures have been approved and implemented through the planning process. These include CCTV, on-site security, a lighting strategy, traffic controls, noise and waste management, and an overarching management framework with a delivery management and dispersal plan. For the rooftop restaurant and sky park, an acoustic report was submitted, detailing proposed criteria for music noise levels at noise-sensitive receptors. Ground floor external seating areas are restricted from use after 11 pm, except for patrons stepping out to smoke. Safeguarding and noise mitigation conditions are included in the operating schedules for all applications.

A sound level meter set up on a rooftop overlooking the Hammersmith Civic Campus.
A sound level meter set up on a rooftop overlooking the Hammersmith Civic Campus.

While specific projections on local crime rates were not provided, the applicant's solicitor highlighted comprehensive security and CCTV plans. The operating schedule mandates High Definition CCTV shall be installed, operated and maintained, with appropriate signage informing customers of recording. An incident log is to be kept and made available to authorised council officers, the police, or the fire service. However, explicit measures for monitoring and addressing potential increases in crime beyond these general conditions were not detailed.

Regarding capacity, the Playfair Hall and a sixth restaurant together would have a maximum capacity of 950 people. A cinema's fire strategy indicates a capacity of 304 people. The applicant's team noted that it is highly unlikely that all of these spaces will be open at the same time and that a venue manager appointed who is actively managing the site would oversee numbers to ensure they do not exceed fire occupancy levels. For dispersal, multiple exits are available, and larger events would involve a staggered type dispersal strategy with increased security and planning. The rooftop terrace could accommodate up to 120 people, depending on weather and management.

Conditions proposed by the applicants in their operating schedules were imposed on all licences. The licensable activities will come into effect once premises licence applications are submitted and approved by the council, and the premises construction substantially complies with the approved plans. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack and the Decisions document from the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.

A visual representation of the Hammersmith Civic Campus development, illustrating various retail, dining, and entertainment venues with accompanying photographs.
A visual representation of the Hammersmith Civic Campus development, illustrating various retail, dining, and entertainment venues with accompanying photographs.