Statement of Licensing Policy (2008) WCC - Westminster City Council

2.5.4 Where it is proposed to sell hot food and hot drink to standing customers or forconsumption off the premises (take-away), the application will be considered underpolicies TAW1 and TAW2.2.5.5 The Stress Area boundaries are shown on the maps at Appendix 15.Restaurants and late night refreshment premises outsidethe Stress AreasPolicy RLN1Applications will generally be granted and reviews determined, subject to the relevantcriteria in Policies CD1, PS1, PN1 and CH1.Restaurants and late night refreshment premises withinthe Stress AreasPolicy RLN2Applications will be granted subject to other policies in this Statement and subjectto the relevant criteria in Policies CD1, PS1, PN1 and CH1, provided it can bedemonstrated that they will not add to cumulative impact in the Stress Areas.Reasons for Policies RLN1 & RLN22.5.6 The wide variety of restaurants is a feature of Westminster and contributes to itsstatus as a world class city. Restaurants attract people over a wide range of ages. It isrecognised that restaurants providing table service have little association with crimeand disorder. A study of crime reports in licensed premises in Westminster from April2006 to March 2007, indicated on average that for every 10 restaurants there were justover 3 violent incidents in the year. This compares to 6 for every 10 pub/restaurantsand 42 for every 10 nightclubs (see additions to Appendix 12).2.5.7 For this reason, the Licensing Authority will generally grant premises licences andvariations for restaurants outside the Stress Areas subject to criteria related to thelicensing objectives. A stricter approach to restaurants in the Stress Areas has beenadopted due to the current cumulative impact issues discussed in Appendices 12 and14.502.5.8 It is recognised that late night refreshment premises play an important role byproviding food and drink for visitors and workers and for some residents late atnight. However because of the late hours that they operate, public nuisance canarise from these premises that affects residents and businesses. This is mainly frompremises selling hot food or hot drink for consumption off the premises. Therefore,the Licensing Authority will give separate consideration to those late night refreshmentpremises offering the sale of hot food or drink for consumption off the premises.