Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel - Monday, 13th March, 2023 10.00 am

Venue: Council Antechamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension. View directions

Contact: Ian Smith 

Items
No. Item

11.

Application for a New Premises Licence - Mean Eyed Cat Bar, Basement and Ground floor, 60 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE pdf icon PDF 132 KB

Now contains additional information submitted by the applicant.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Hearing Panel considered a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing.  The Hearing Panel also considered the written papers of the parties and the oral representations of the parties who attended as well as the relevant legislation.

 

The applicant’s agent addressed the Hearing Panel, noting that this was a business started in 2004 offering ‘escapism’ bars. The applicant operated a total of 7 venues, 6 in Leeds and one in Liverpool. The applicant’s agent that there had been no issues at any of those venues. The applicant would run the venue until it became well established, at which point an experienced manager would take over. The company have their own training academy for staff which is a 6-week programme. The applicant intended to employ 28 staff, a mix of part and full-time.

 

The premises would be a ground floor and basement bar, with a small external space. The premises already held a licence, that would be surrendered upon the granting of this. The applicant’s agent noted that this application was for a 2-hour extension on the current licence.

 

The applicant’s agent stated that there were no remaining Responsible Authority objections, with conditions agreed between the applicant and the responsible authorities. The applicant’s agent believed this showed a confidence in the applicant to uphold the Licensing objectives. It was noted that 62 conditions had been proposed as part of the Operating Schedule, far exceeding the number of conditions on similar licences in the area. The applicant had also commissioned a noise report to ensure the venue would not cause a noise nuisance for residents.

 

The applicant’s agent then addressed the concerns raised by residents. Noise was a main concern of the remaining resident objections, but the applicant’s agent felt there was no evidence to support this. The applicant had commissioned a noise report that showed no issues. Concerns were also raised regarding littering and anti-social behaviour, but the applicant’s agent believed there was also no evidence to support this. Residents had raised issues regarding another premises in the area, but the agent stated this had nothing to do with this application.

 

The applicant’s agent summed up by stating the applicant had proposed extensive policies and procedures for the venue. They noted that the applicant was an experienced operator, with no issues at the other venues they operate. They reiterated that there were no Responsible Authority objections remaining. The applicant’s agent stated the premises would provide employment and attract people to the city. They also stated that the requested operating hours were in line with other venues in the area.

 

In their deliberations, the panel noted that agreement had been reached with GMP and LOOH, the responsible authorities who had previously objected. They noted the applicant’s proven track record and their experience as an operator. The panel also noted the content of the acoustic report which demonstrated compliance with the relevant planning condition. The panel were satisfied that the applicant would uphold the Licensing objectives.

 

Decision

 

To grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Exclusion of the Public

The officers consider that the following item or items contains exempt information as provided for in the Local Government Access to Information Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The Executive is recommended to agree the necessary resolutions excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of these items. At the time this agenda is published no representations have been that this part of the meeting should be open to the public.

Minutes:

A recommendation was made that the public be excluded during consideration of the following items of business.

 

Decision

 

To exclude the public during consideration of the following items which involved consideration of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons, and public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

13.

Review of a Personal Licence - AJ

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Hearing Panel considered a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing.

 

The panel were informed that the applicant had failed to attend the hearing for the second occasion. The panel noted that their offence was a recent one, demonstrating a lack of personal responsibility regarding alcohol use. The panel believed this was a serious offence and one that showed AJ to not be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

 

Decision

 

To revoke the licence with immediate effect.