Law or policy

Licensing Act 2003

46 stories · discussed at 137 council meetings · 28 councils

Councils are currently deciding on premises licence applications and reviews, often adjusting conditions in response to resident concerns about public nuisance and crime.

Hounslow Council's Licensing Panel granted a premises licence for Tesco Express in September 2026, restricting alcohol sales hours after resident objections. Similarly, Kensington and Chelsea Council granted a licence to Mother Mash Limited in September 2026, following objections about potential public nuisance. Waltham Forest Council also granted a licence to TBC Sheperds Bush in July 2026, urging the owner to liaise with neighbours on late-night issues.

In June 2026, Greenwich Licensing Review Sub-Committee revoked Café Raj's licence due to an illegal worker, and Westminster City Council suspended Food Works' licence in March 2026 over serious crime concerns. Looking ahead, Hammersmith and Fulham's Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider new licence applications and reviews on September 30, 2026, with further meetings planned in Islington, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, and Newham on October 1, 2026.

The Licensing Act 2003 governs the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment, with local councils acting as licensing authorities. Southwark Council approved its Statement of Licensing Policy for 2026-2031 in March 2026, outlining how it manages these responsibilities. Hackney Council also agreed in June 2026 to establish five sub-committees to operate without political balance for flexibility.

Key facts

  1. Hounslow Council's Licensing Panel granted a licence for Tesco Express in September 2026, restricting alcohol sales hours. Source 1 Source 2
  2. Greenwich Licensing Review Sub-Committee revoked Café Raj's licence in June 2026 due to an illegal worker. Source
  3. Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee suspended Food Works' licence in March 2026 over serious crime concerns. Source
  4. Southwark Council approved its Statement of Licensing Policy for 2026-2031 in March 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Hackney Council Establishes Five Licensing Sub-Committees Hackney Council has established five new Licensing Sub-Committees to handle a range of licensing and gambling applications for the upcoming municipal year. Hackney 7 June 2026
  2. Licensing hearing for Best One adjourned due to notification issues A licensing hearing for the convenience store Best One was adjourned after key parties, including the Home Office and the premises' legal representatives, claimed they had not... Havering 11 May 2026
  3. Sonnys Licence Extended Despite Noise Concerns Kingston upon Thames Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has granted a licence extension for Sonnys, a venue located at 4 Bishops Hall, despite significant noise concerns raised... Kingston upon Thames 26 March 2026
  4. Southwark Council Approves New Licensing Policy for 2026-2031 Southwark Council has approved a new licensing policy that will guide the borough's approach to licensing responsibilities for the next five years, covering a range of... Southwark 22 March 2026
  5. Food Works licence suspended over serious crime fears The premises licence for Food Works, located at 51 Strutton Ground, London, SW1P 2HY, has been suspended following an expedited review by Westminster City Council's Licensing... Westminster 20 March 2026
  6. Licensing review adjourned due to Chair's absence A licensing review for Stratford Food and Wine has been adjourned due to the absence of the committee chair, who is recovering from a severe cold. The meeting, scheduled for... Kensington and Chelsea 10 January 2026
  7. Dessert Shop in Forest Gate Granted Licence Despite Objections A dessert shop in Forest Gate has been granted a licence to sell late-night refreshments, despite objections from local residents and council teams. Newham Council's Licensing... Newham 31 December 2025
  8. Birchington Road Restaurant Seeks License Change; Camden Council Licensing Panel to Review The Imperial Restaurant & Bar on Birchington Road, London, is seeking a variation to its premises licence, which will be discussed at the Camden Council Licensing Panel A... Camden 22 December 2025