A new restaurant specialising in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine has received official approval to open within a distinctive railway arch location in West London, following a successful licensing hearing with local authorities.
Licensing Approval with Conditions
Cucina Habesha has been granted permission to operate from one of the railway arches adjacent to the expansive Westfield shopping centre in White City, close to Wood Lane Underground station. The licensing sub-committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council approved the application, allowing the restaurant to serve customers until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight from Sunday to Thursday.
Special extended hours were also approved for festive periods, permitting operation until 2:30am on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. This decision came after detailed discussions regarding measures to minimise potential disturbance to residents in the neighbouring White City Living development.
Addressing Residential Concerns
The council's Environmental Public Protection team had initially raised objections to the application, citing significant concerns about potential noise disruption affecting nearby residents. John Garcia, Licensing Practitioner for the team, submitted a formal objection highlighting the close proximity of the arch to residential properties.
"The extended hours sought for the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and recorded music pose a significant risk of noise disturbance and disruption to residents," Mr Garcia wrote in his submission. "The application does not, in my view, adequately protect the amenity of local residents."
During the licensing hearing, applicant Blen Mesfin, Director of Cucina Habesha, provided reassurances about operational management. She clarified that customers would not routinely use the entrance facing White City Living, reserving it solely for emergency situations. Instead, patrons would exit towards the shopping complex direction.
Operational Agreements Reached
Ian Edmett from the council's Noise and Nuisance Team confirmed that these proposed measures would sufficiently address the team's concerns, particularly regarding the entrance and exit facing the residential development. A new condition was agreed during the meeting that this specific entrance and any associated seating on the White City Living side would be closed after 10pm each evening.
"Just so people don't stand and make noise and affect the residents opposite the restaurant," Mr Edmett explained during the hearing. "That's our main concern."
Ms Mesfin further committed to implementing a "staggered exit" policy to prevent large groups of customers leaving simultaneously at closing time. "We're not ejecting everyone at the same time which usually causes the noise because people normally congregate as the restaurant closes," she assured committee members.
Police Conditions Accepted
Prior to the licensing hearing, Ms Mesfin had engaged constructively with the Metropolitan Police regarding her plans. While not formally objecting to the application, police representatives proposed several conditions that were accepted without reservation.
These conditions included requirements that the premises operate primarily as a restaurant rather than a drinking establishment, and that all alcohol sales be accompanied by food purchases. The Metropolitan Police raised no specific concerns about the proposed opening hours themselves.
Committee Considerations
Committee Chair Councillor Mercy Umeh expressed some frustration during proceedings regarding incomplete information about operating hours of neighbouring premises. Licensing Officer Neil Gardiner explained that this resulted from a cyber attack at the end of the previous year, which although primarily targeting Kensington and Chelsea Council systems, had also affected some Hammersmith and Fulham Council operations.
Despite these information challenges, councillors voted unanimously to approve the application, incorporating the agreed conditions regarding entrance management and operational hours. The decision represents a balance between supporting new business development in the area and protecting residential amenity in this mixed-use location.
The approval paves the way for Cucina Habesha to bring authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean culinary experiences to West London, adding to the diverse dining options available near one of London's major shopping destinations while implementing responsible operational practices to maintain neighbourhood harmony.
