Chicago Grill at 63 Uxbridge Rd Seeks 24 Hour License

Chicago Grill - 24 hour license?

Chicago Grill, a new chicken shop at 63 Uxbridge Rd a seeking a 24 Hour License.  Hardly news, you might think, but local residents have been fighting for some years to reduce the amount of late-night crime and disorder in our neighbourhood, which used to focus around the Walkabout pub and various 24 hour fast food restaurants and bars.

It's also worth knowing about the Shepherd's Bush Saturation Zone.  Most residents of Shepherd's Bush have probably never heard of it, or have the faintest idea what it means. But it is important, and it does matter.

Shepherd's Bush Saturation Zone
The Shepherd's Bush Saturation Zone is a special licensing policy which was created by the Council in 2010 to restrict the expansion of licensed premises in an area which was already "saturated" with places to drink. In short, it was an attempt by the Council to keep a lid on late-night crime and disorder in the Bush.

Cumulative Impact Saturation Zone - Shepherd's Bush

History of the Shepherd's Bush Saturation Zone
In 2010 The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham decided to introduce a special policy relating to the "cumulative impact" of licensing in Shepherd’s Bush.  “Cumulative impact” means the potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives of a significant number of licensed premises concentrated in one area.

In 2010, Shepherd’s Bush was identified by the Council as being "adversely affected in terms of the licensing objectives because of the cumulative impact of the concentration of licensed premises". In other words, there was too much booze in too small an area, and too much late-night craziness going on.

The Cumulative Impact Saturation Zone, which was recently reviewed by LBHF and remains in force, includes Shepherd's Bush Green to the East, the Uxbridge Road to the North, Goldhawk Road to the south, and is bordered by Askew road in the west (see map above). Outside of this area, normal licensing rules apply.

How do residents object to licensing applications?
If you want to object to a licensing application, you need to do so on certain grounds. You can't just complain that you're not happy - your objections must conform to the "licensing objectives".  There are four licensing objectives set down by statute. They are:

• The prevention of Crime and Disorder
• Public Safety
• The prevention of Public Nuisance
• The protection of Children from Harm

So, to offer comments on this application (or any other), you need to visit the website, and make your comments.

The License being sought
Chicago Grill are seeking "Provision of late night refreshment, on and off the premises, from Thursday to Saturday 23:00pm to 02:00 am. Sunday, to Wednesday 23.00 pm to 01:00 am Opening hours - Monday to Sunday between 11:00 to 05:00"

The hearing
It's also a good idea to turn up to the hearing itself, and make your views known - but note that you will only be able to speak if you have already submitted a written representation. The Council place considerable weight on the views of people who actually turn up, because it shows how much they actually care about the issue (as opposed to complaining from their armchair, posting at Facebook - or blogging).

When is the hearing date?
The date for the hearing has not been set yet. But once you post your views at the official site, they will notify you of the hearing date.

The Shepherd's Bush Blog offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story about our neighbourhood, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com.