Westminster City Council has granted a premises licence for a new restaurant on a site previously occupied by a bank on the corner of Charlotte Street and Rathbone Street in Fitzrovia.
Fitzrovia Operations Limited has been granted permission to operate a restaurant to be known as Dila, at a location that was a branch of Cynergy Bank.
They applied for the sale of alcohol to drink on and off the premises and late night refreshment from 9am to 11.30pm from Monday to Thursday, 9am to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from 9am to 10.30pm on Sunday.
A number of objections were received by the licensing authority raising concerns about noise and public nuisance, on behalf of residents living nearby. Concerns were also raised over plans to include outdoor seating, with the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association asking that these be removed by 10pm to “minimise [noise] nuisance to the residents”.
“The application site has never held a premises licence before. Previously it operated as bank. Adding yet another venue selling alcohol would have a cumulative impact and have a negative effect by way of noise nuisance on the amenity of nearby residents particularly in Charlotte Street and Rathbone Street itself but also for those living in Colville Place,” wrote a representative for the Charlotte Street Association residents group in an objection.
A report by Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP, who represented the client, said: “Dila is intended to be a welcoming, all-day neighbourhood restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a setting that feels both relaxed and refined.
“Our goal is to create a warm and approachable environment where guests can enjoy high-quality food and hospitality throughout the day, without the venue operating as a late-night drinking destination.”
The application was discussed by Westminster City Council Licencing Committee on Thursday 19 March.
In a decision published today, Westminster Council granted the licence for the hours applied for but added conditions so that the primary function of the premises is a restaurant, where customers are seated and served at tables by waiting staff. The outside seating area would also close at 11pm each day.
Westminster City Council, Licensing Sub-Committee – Thursday 19 March 2026.
Additional reporting by Linus Rees.
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