Licensing news week ending 14.04.2024

If you are affected by any of the proposals within this update and attached pdf file, please comment, and send to the chairman at chair@rsmsj.com.

Please find attached Licensing News for the week ending 14th April 2024.

If you wish to view the applications on our public register you will need to click on the reference numbers provided in the document.

Temporary Event Notices can now be viewed on our public register. To view a Temporary Event Notice please use the following link: Simple Search (westminster.gov.uk) To search for a Temporary Event Notice please see the attached guidance.

You might be interested to know that the Council sends out a monthly Environment newsletter showcasing a range of environmental projects and initiatives taking place in Westminster. It provides updates on climate change, air quality, recycling, biodiversity, parks and open spaces, and much more. You can read the most recent edition and sign up to receive future editions here.

We produce a variety of other email newsletters to help residents and businesses stay up-to-date with news, offers and events. Click here for more information.

Inclusivity in Licensed Venues

We want to make sure that businesses have the information they need to make venues in our city accessible to all. Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that their premises are accessible to disabled people – this may be through physical changes (whilst being mindful of planning obligations) and operational changes such as through the training of staff and communication with customers.

There have been a number of incidents recently where individuals have been refused entry to premises in the borough because of using a guide dog or having a walking stick. Guide dog and other assistance dog owners have the right to enter licensed premises where the public is permitted with their dog as well as those with mobility aids. Whilst there is no one size fits all approach to making a venue inclusive, every operator will need to make an assessment of its own practices and policies to ensure that they are complying with their legal obligations on accessibility to their venue. The following are common and best practice examples that could be adopted:

• Inclusive and transparent policies. This could include an assistance dog welcome sticker in your window.
• Robust complaints procedures that make it easy for customers who feel they have been discriminated against to raise their concerns and understand how this will be investigated or managed.
• Accessible venue layouts that make venues welcoming.
• Comprehensive training on equality and inclusion for all staff. It is important that any training is regularly refreshed.

Holding ourselves, as well as the venues and businesses we licence, to account to ensure that we continue to promote and offer inclusive experiences for everyone will help to ensure that Westminster remains as one of the most visited and inclusive places in the world.

If you are and agent acting on behalf of a client we would kindly ask that you forward the content below and encourage them to take part in our Evening & Night Time Plan.

We want to hear your views about Westminster’s evening and night-time!

Westminster City Council has launched a consultation platform on its proposal to create an inclusive Evening and Night-time Plan to improve the night-time scene in Westminster. We want our community to be safe, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible. Please scan our QR code to find out how you can join us in making Westminster a more inclusive and dynamic place at night!

You can:
• Register your interest to join our Evening and Night-time Stakeholder Assembly.
• Complete our short 3-minute public survey.
• Have your say on our ideas map.

Many Thanks

Licensing Team
Environment & Communities
Westminster City Council
15th Floor
64 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6QP
Call Centre (for general queries) 020 7641 6500

Click here to view/ download full licensing pdf file >