The London Wildlife Trust has applied for a premises licence to sell alcohol and play indoor music at The Wheatsheaf Building, a new café kiosk and private hire centre in the recently redesigned Grosvenor Square. The application, filed with Westminster City Council, is set to be decided at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on August 20.
Venue details and licence request
The Wheatsheaf Building is operated by the London Wildlife Trust, which partnered with Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation to deliver environmental programmes from the site. The venue is already in use as a café and education space. If approved, the licence would allow the Trust to run small-scale events, with income supporting the charity.
The Trust has requested licensable hours from 9am to 9pm seven days a week, with events ending by 10pm. Alcohol would only be served to guests attending private functions, with a maximum capacity of 50 people.
Resident concerns and objections
Several objections were submitted, including one on behalf of Intraders (B.V.I.) Ltd, which claimed limited engagement with local residents and raised fears about noise and food preparation impacts. The objections stated: “Given the unique residential nature of Grosvenor Square and the close proximity of residential buildings to the proposed venue, it is important that residents are able to understand fully the likely impact of the proposed operation on their quiet enjoyment of their homes and the Square.”
One opposing representation deviated from the template, citing concerns about the impact of lighting from the café on wildlife in the square. The council’s Environmental Health team initially raised concerns about potential public nuisance from alcohol sales and live or recorded music but withdrew their objections after additional conditions were agreed with the applicant.
Trust response and square transformation
Charlie Sims, Director of Visitor Experience at the London Wildlife Trust, said they have had “positive communication” with residents, with many fears reportedly alleviated. “We remain in constructive communication, with our latest correspondence addressing the outstanding concerns from residents,” Sims added.
Grosvenor Square reopened in July following a major redesign aimed at boosting biodiversity and visitor appeal. The transformation included 150,000 new plants, 40 new trees, 300 extra seats, and the Wheatsheaf café building. Ahead of the reopening, the Duke of Westminster said: “This transformation is about showing how historic urban spaces can work well for people, nature and the climate. We are grateful to the thousands of people who helped shape the project, including many young people whose ideas influenced the final design. I hope Grosvenor Square becomes a place where everyone can pause, explore and connect with nature in the heart of the city, and where future generations can develop a sense of wonder about the natural world.”
