Greggs, the baking retailer, opened a new flagship store in Leicester Square on 18th July.
They applied for a 24 hour licence for hot food sales which was subsequently refused by the Council’s Licencing Sub-Committee. The committee concluded that the application would have the likely effect of an increase in crime and disorder in the area and an increased demand on Police resources which are already stretched.
Concerns were raised by your three St. James’s Councillors, Council officers and also the Metropolitan Police.
Cllr Tim Mitchell says: "We appreciate the importance of the night time economy in Leicester Square but, as ward Councillors, we echo the concerns of the Police and a local operator that a 24 licence would be detrimental to the area. We are glad to see the licence refusal and hope that Greggs appeal to a Magistrates’ Court is unsuccessful."
