The Royal Hospital Chelsea — home to the Chelsea Pensioners — has been accused of “rampant commercialisation” after unveiling plans to hold boxing matches in its grounds.
The historic site, which first opened its doors in 1692 and is home to about 300 retired soldiers, already has licences from Kensington and Chelsea council allowing it to put on live music until midnight 30 days a year. It can also sell alcohol on its main site, including its private grounds at Burton’s Court.
Members of the council’s licensing sub-committee will decide on Thursday whether to grant a new licence combining the previous conditions but also allowing the hospital to stage “boxing or wrestling” between the hours of 10am to 11pm.
The hospital told the council’s licensing committee it wanted “the opportunity to explore military boxing events for the Chelsea Pensioners to be able to spectate” but its plan has been described as “excessive” by the Chelsea Society.
One objector, Charles Southern who chairs the Smith and Woodfall Street Residents’ Association, wrote: “This application allows for an entirely different scale of event at the Royal Hospital and should be resisted — the rampant commercialisation of the site is being pushed too far. This is a home for the Chelsea Pensioners, not a prime event space for corporate entertainment — which is what this licence extension moves further towards.”
There were 48 objections in total, with one local resident warning of noise and “criminal activity as a result of alcohol abuse” that would be “a danger to families” and “of course affect the property values for everyone”.
Only one resident supported the plan, though the council’s noise and nuisance team said there had been no complaints about previous events at the hospital.
The hospital said: “After a period of consultation, we’re simplifying our licences to be combined under a single site licence.
“Some residents have voiced objections to this application, however we would like to reassure local residents that this will not be a substantive change to current arrangements and opening times.”
