Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Civic Campus scheme has been granted a premises licence permitting alcohol sales, music, and film screenings until 3am, seven days a week, as the flagship King Street project nears completion. The decision, made by the council's Licensing Sub-Committee on September 22, also approved six provisional statements for spaces including the rooftop restaurant, despite objections from local residents over noise and late hours.
Licensing Details and Approved Activities
The licence for the Civic Campus Building allows for the playing of music and films and the sale of alcohol until 3am every day. An earlier closing time of 11pm was granted for the outdoor Civic Avenue and Unity Square. Six applications for provisional statements, which provide licensing frameworks for premises still under construction, were also green-lit for areas such as the new skypark and the rooftop restaurant.
Provisional statements enable applicants to determine whether a premises yet to be finished would be granted a licence once building works are complete. For the Civic Campus proposals, these relate to premises for which tenants are yet to be secured; once operators are found, they will need to apply for their own premises licences.
Resident Objections and Concerns
Two objections were received from residents during consultation. One objector wrote: “The hours applied for - open and selling until 3am every day of the week Monday to Sunday! - are excessive for all the premises in this 100% residential area around King Street. The hours appear to be for a 'night club' style licence which is completely unacceptable. Normal closing time of 11pm Monday to Sunday is acceptable. Special application for New Year's Eve would be acceptable.”
Una-Jane Winfield, a Hammersmith resident, told members the area is primarily residential. Noting the 204 homes built as part of the new complex, she said: “I will be absolutely amazed if any of the new residents, if they actually live there, will put up with an alcohol licence and parties and music blaring from the top floor until 3 o’clock in the morning. It’s absolutely outrageous.” She also warned of a likely increase in ride-hailing firms on King Street, with the licences likely “to cause a good deal of trouble with Uber and Lyft parking”.
Council and Applicant Response
Alun Thomas, of Thomas and Thomas Partners LLP, which applied on behalf of the council, described the Campus as a “major regeneration scheme”. He said: “The whole point is to breathe new life into the western end of King Street and help spread the economic activity from the [Hammersmith] Broadway and its unique and comprehensive transport connections to the new Unity Square and its surrounding retail and office space.”
On the requested hours, Mr Thomas said these are only suggested, and that there are mitigations such as a dispersal plan. Asked by Conservative councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan about the justification for the 3am closing times, he said: “We are not saying these events will take place until 3am every day of the week. But there will be some events that go until 3 o’clock in the morning, and of course it saves having to apply for temporary event notices.”
Ms Winfield reiterated that the late-night hours do not align with other premises on King Street, adding: “It’s just completely intolerable. Why the council wants to annoy the neighbours so much I don’t know.” Mr Thomas repeatedly highlighted the “unique” opportunity arising from the scheme, adding there are “appropriate safeguards in place”.
Project Background and Next Steps
The Civic Campus project, approved in 2019, will repurpose the King Street site to deliver a complex with homes, bars, workspaces, cultural venues, and a refurbished town hall. Well-known companies such as cinema chain Curzon and bakery Gail’s are reportedly set to take on spaces. The project faced delays earlier this year when lead contractor Ardmore entered administration, though the council said it had “contingency plans” in place.
The premises licence and all six provisional statement applications were granted by the Licensing Sub-Committee members, moving the scheme closer to its full unveiling after years of delays. Future tenants will need to secure their own premises licences before operating.
