Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Members refused digital advertisement consent for Harrods because the large illuminated facade wrap was considered harmful to visual amenity in a sensitive conservation setting. Officers noted that a non-digital or less intrusive proposal might be considered differently, so the refusal was specific to the digital format.

The committee approved a substantial Royal Marsden Hospital redevelopment, including new clinical floors, a frontage building, a winter garden and associated alterations. Although this is a planning decision rather than a direct contract award, it signals a significant capital construction opportunity and likely associated procurement for building works, specialist hospital fit-out, landscaping, plant, highways mitigation and construction management.

RBKC proposed replacing timber windows with double-glazed aluminium windows at Hazelwood Tower. The application was straightforward, unopposed, and approved with conditions, indicating a small capital works spend on council housing stock.

Silvertime Amusements Limited sought a premises licence for a new adult gaming centre at 177-179 Earls Court Road, converting the former Lloyds Bank premises. The applicant said it would close 169 Earls Court Road before opening, add around 40 machines, and operate 24 hours a day. It also offered a suite of conditions, including one SIA door staff member, CCTV, and periodic resident meetings, indicating a likely premises fit-out and security procurement opportunity if approved.

The applicant sought a shadow premises licence for 289–291 Fulham Road on the same terms as the existing licence, to preserve the licensing position if the tenant licence lapses, is surrendered, or otherwise falls away. This is a licensing opportunity tied to future occupation and retail re-letting rather than an immediate operational change.

The applicant and objectors argued over whether the proposed later hours fit the council’s licensing policy for terraces, late-night refreshment and mixed-use areas. The applicant said the request aligned with policy and comparable premises, while objectors said the end of Walton Street is overwhelmingly residential and earlier closing times are appropriate.

The meeting concerned a premises licence variation for Smoke and Pepper on Earl's Court Road to extend late night refreshment hours to 3am and remove conditions restricting public service. The applicant argued there is customer demand, the business is only four months old, and the extra hours are needed for viability; they also offered additional controls on staffing, dispersal, CCTV, litter picking, and delivery management. Objectors, mainly local residents and councillors, raised strong concerns about late-night public nuisance, delivery bike congregation, noise, litter, waste, and antisocial behaviour, and the committee discussed possible conditions, including dispersal planning, external doors/windows being kept closed, and joining a local late-night business group.

The committee heard a licensing review concerning a restaurant and events venue in relation to noise, dispersal, smoking, waste, and external supervision. A significant part of the hearing focused on whether conditions should be imposed or volunteered, including refuse timing, door supervision, customer dispersal, and smoking controls. The operator indicated willingness to accept several conditions and to improve management under new personnel, while disputing the strength of the evidence and the need for some more restrictive controls.