Hammersmith Civic Campus has been granted approval for alcohol sales to extend until 3 AM across several venues within the development. The decision, made by the Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, allows for the sale of alcohol, provision of films, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshment.
The new premises licence for H&F Civic Campus - Civic Avenue & Unity Square permits alcohol sales from 10 AM to 3 AM in the Civic Campus Building and from 10 AM to 11 PM in Civic Avenue and Unity Square. The building and town square will be open from 9 AM to 3 AM daily, while Civic Avenue and Unity Square will have operating hours until 11 PM.
Six provisional statements for various areas within the development were also considered and granted. These include a rooftop restaurant and sky park, and five other units located at Civic Avenue and King Street. For these provisional statements, the operating hours generally extend from 9 AM to 3 AM, with alcohol sales permitted from 10 AM to 3 AM. Late-night refreshment will be available from 11 PM to 3 AM.
During the consultation period, local residents raised objections concerning the proposed late operating hours, citing potential increases in noise, crime, and public nuisance. Concerns were also raised about the adequacy of advertising for the applications and the potential for increased traffic congestion.
Regarding advertising, while residents expressed concerns about the visibility of the applications, the licensing officer confirmed that the applications were advertised in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 requirements. The applicant's solicitor stated that notices were displayed at 21 different locations. Despite these concerns, the committee ultimately granted the applications.
To address residents' concerns about noise, crime, and public nuisance, the applicant's solicitor, Alun Thomas, highlighted the managed nature of the estate, the extensive mitigation measures in place, and the council's policy supporting growth in the night-time economy.
These measures, approved through the planning process, include comprehensive security, CCTV, and management plans. Specific measures include:
- CCTV
- On-site security
- Lighting strategy
- Traffic controls
- Noise protections
- Waste management
- Overarching management framework, including a delivery management and dispersal plan.
The decision document for the H&F Civic Campus - Civic Avenue & Unity Square states that the committee imposed the conditions proposed by the applicant in their operating schedule. These conditions, also attached to the provisional statements for venues like the Rooftop Restaurant & Skypark, include high-definition CCTV installation and operation, staff training on licensing laws, an incident log for recording various events, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, notices asking customers to leave quietly, and ensuring no nuisance from noise or vibration. A policy for the welfare and safeguarding of vulnerable patrons is also to be implemented and recorded.
The applicant's solicitor argued that the proposed hours were justified by the council's policy supporting growth in the night-time economy. While the definition of 'growth in the night-time economy' is not explicitly stated, the council's Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP) frames it as central to the borough's competitiveness. The Civic Campus redevelopment is seen as a major regeneration scheme aiming to revitalise King Street and spread economic activity. It is envisioned as a cultural hub for the borough,
facilitating unique events and making the area a vibrant entertainment, arts, business, and social destination.
The rooftop restaurant and sky park, located on the sixth floor of the Civic Campus Building, is described as a destination venue.
The combined maximum capacity for the Playfair Hall and this restaurant is 950 people. The rooftop itself has an internal and external capacity of approximately 240 people, with the potential for 120 people on the terrace between 1 AM and 3 AM.
Compliance with the new licensing conditions will be monitored and enforced by licensing enforcement officers and relevant teams, such as the police for crime and the noise team for noise complaints. The applicant's solicitor also noted that other regulatory regimes, like the Environmental Protection Act, and the landlord's powers through lease agreements, can be used to address issues, potentially offering quicker resolutions than licensing alone.
For the five other units at Civic Avenue and King Street, provisional statements were granted with proposed conditions from the applicants' operating schedules attached. While specific details for each unit are not itemised, it is understood that these conditions, similar to those for the rooftop venue, would cover aspects like CCTV, staff training, incident logging, and noise control.
