No. Fifty Cheyne licensing review: 17 complaints trigger Chelsea restaurant hearing

A Chelsea restaurant is awaiting a decision on its licence after a Kensington and Chelsea council hearing on 30 July 2025. No. Fifty Cheyne, located on Cheyne Row, faced a review following 17 formal noise and nuisance complaints over the past two years. The Licensing Sub-Committee heard evidence from residents, enforcement officers and the venue’s legal team before adjourning to consider conditions.

Colin Scagell, a resident of Cheyne Row, initiated the review. He told the committee he had experienced weekly disturbances since November 2024. In his application, he described customers as frequently drunk, disorderly and sometimes unwell, creating a nuisance for local residents. Two other residents formally supported his claims in writing.

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Council hears evidence of sporadic disruption

Licensing Enforcement Officer David Williams attended the hearing as a witness for Mr Scagell. He said the disruption did not meet the threshold for statutory nuisance but should still be considered. Williams noted that Cheyne Row was a quiet street, where even minor disturbances could be noticeable. The committee was shown videos submitted by Mr Scagell, though councillors questioned their clarity.

Councillor Marie-Therese Rossi, a member of the Sub-Committee, said the videos contained noise but did not show many people outside the venue. Mr Scagell responded that capturing the disruption on camera was difficult due to its sporadic nature and privacy concerns. He suggested conditions such as staff monitoring outdoor areas after 9pm to mitigate future issues.

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Direct interference with the licensing objectives, and the misery caused by those issues, continued and they continued until the venue shut fairly recently for what appears to be a fairly extensive program of refurbishment.

Sarah Le Fevre, legal counsel for Colin Scagell

James Anderson, legal counsel for No. Fifty Cheyne, acknowledged that the previous manager had been replaced. He said the new management had not yet been tested in their ability to control the venue. The restaurant’s team said they were willing to volunteer some conditions, such as restricting the number of smokers outside and adjusting refuse collection hours, even if the panel did not enforce them.

Residents divided over impact

Not all residents agreed with Mr Scagell’s complaints. Matthew Taylor, who also lives on Cheyne Row, wrote a letter in support of the restaurant. He described the grounds for the review as exaggerated and without merit. Taylor said the management was sensitive to local residents and that the clientele’s conduct was civil and well-behaved.

No authorities made representations at the hearing. The Sub-Committee will issue its decision within five working days, by 6 August 2025. If conditions are imposed, they could include limits on outdoor activity, staff supervision and refuse collection times.

What happens next

Kensington and Chelsea council will publish its decision on the licensing review by 6 August 2025. Residents can check the council’s website for updates. If conditions are imposed, No. Fifty Cheyne will be required to comply or risk further enforcement action. The restaurant may also choose to appeal the decision.