Walton Café, a family-run business on Walton Street between Knightsbridge and South Kensington, has applied to extend its opening hours, sparking 13 objections from nearby residents but also drawing 26 letters of support. The application, heard by Kensington and Chelsea Council's Licensing Sub-Committee on June 18, 2026, seeks permission to open until midnight Monday to Saturday and until 10:30pm on Sundays, with the terrace open until 10pm daily.
Residents voice concerns over noise and late-night atmosphere
Three residents with property on Walton Street told the council that granting the licence would create a "very real risk of unacceptable levels of noise." Lakshman Menon, representing the Knightsbridge Association, said: "I cannot emphasise more strongly how adversely impacted the quality of my life and those of the local community would be if they were to be granted any further extended hours, particularly in regard to the external areas."
Another objector, representing the Bolsa family who own a property on Walton Street, claimed their home had been "reduced to a lodging at the foot of a full-fledged bar." He confirmed that he and his family have not lived there for at least a year. He added: "We have in the past seen often inebriated clients literally on the doorsteps, leaving little to no room to manoeuvre when entering or exiting our home. Not being able to open our windows late in the evening on both sides would further jeopardise the right to our peaceful enjoyment of our homes and make it utterly unsuitable for us young and hardworking family members and our young children."
Supporters and café owners defend the application
Legal counsel for the applicant, Fraser Coxhill, described owner Dritan Cerri as a family man whose clients are local. He said: "It is by definition a family business and the patrons of the business are local people, as demonstrated by the supporting testimonies." Antoneta Cerri, who runs the venue day-to-day, told the sub-committee that current restrictions were costing business. "It is affecting our business because [people] passing by our street think the business is closed and it looks so sad," she said.
One resident living 30-40 metres from the venue spoke in support: "I live on Lennox Gardens and my kitchen overlooks the café on Walton Street. So often I have in the summer the windows open and I have not experienced any nuisance."
Historic complaints and current licence conditions
The café currently has permission to open until 10pm Monday to Saturday and 8:30pm on Sundays, with the forecourt closing at 8:30pm daily. There have been several licensing complaints in recent years, including noise issues and failure to stack tables and chairs on time. A historic complaint about the venue advertising a "private cigar bar" was made in 2021. The last complaint was in June 2025.
Several conditions were discussed at the meeting, including a revised closing time of 11:30pm. A written decision will be made within five working days of the hearing.
