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

Introduction/definitions2.5.40 Major hotels in Westminster and some other hotels provide a range of licensedactivities including entertainment for hotel residents and others, and provide venuesfor conferences, celebrations and parties. These are important long establishedcentral London activities.2.5.41 The playing of fi lms and non-broadcast TV in hotel bedrooms is regulatedentertainment and hotels should include it in applications.HotelsPolicy HOT1Subject to the effect on the promotion of the licensing objectives and other relevantpolicies in this Statement, premises licences for hotels will generally be granted sothat:(a) Alcohol is permitted to be sold at any time to people staying in hotel rooms forconsumption on the premises.(b) The hours of serving alcohol to the general public will be subject to conditionslimiting the sale of alcohol after a specifi ed time to those attending pre-bookedevents held at the hotel.(c) The exhibition of fi lm, in the form of recordings or non-broadcast televisionprogrammes to be viewed in hotel bedrooms, will generally be permitted.Reasons2.5.42 Hotels commonly seek extended hours in order to hold events for non-residents whichthey would have previously done under occasional licences and cannot do so underTemporary Event Notices because of the limits which apply to temporary permittedactivities, which limit the capacity to 499 people, and the duration to 96 hours and tonot more than 12 occasions per calendar year and no more than 15 days in total.2.5.43 Hotels have, under the previous regime, been able to serve alcohol to residents at anyhour although hotel bars are generally closed before 02:00. This provision allowed forroom service and minibars in rooms. New hotels generally will want to offer the sameprovision as existing hotels.2.5.44 Hotels also commonly want to allow bona fi de invited guests of residents to be able tobuy alcoholic drinks on their own behalf after alcohol sales to members of the generalpublic have ceased. This provision will generally be granted but it may be subject to67