Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel - Monday, 16th January, 2023 10.00 am

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

Contact: Ian Hinton-Smith 

Items
No. Item

3.

Application for a New Premises Licence - Factory International, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Now contains additional information from 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 in attendance as well as the relevant legislation.

 

The applicant’s agent addressed the Hearing Panel, first by displaying a video explaining the purposes of the Premises. They noted that this was an exciting and significant project that could have a large impact on the city. It would be a cultural, arts and events venue that would have an impact nationally and globally. The applicant had applied for a licence to supply alcohol from 8.00am until 4.00am daily. The applicant had also applied for external Licensable activities. The applicant’s agent noted that they sought an extensive and flexible licence but felt that this was necessary for the intentions of the venue.

 

The applicant’s agent stated that the applicant had liaised with all objectors but noted that some resident objections and a local ward councillor objection remained. It was felt there had been some suggestion from objectors that the consultation had not been extensive enough. The applicant’s agent felt this is not true, stating they had gone above and beyond their legal requirements in this regard. They noted that the first meeting with the Responsible Authorities took place in September 2019 and a meeting with the local ward councillor in November 2019. The project, following this, suffered delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the applicant had done a letter drop to local residents inviting them to a meeting regarding the licence that would be applied for. Around 50 residents attended that meeting. The applicant initially wanted a 24-hour alcohol licence but reduced their request following this meeting with residents. A further two meetings were held with residents following the consultation ending, after which the Operating Schedule and Licence Conditions were revised.

 

The applicant’s agent moved on to address the remaining objectors concerns. They stated that the applicant sought a flexible licence with extensive hours as the venue was intended for various events, requiring the possibility of 24/7 entertainment provision. Residents had questioned why alcohol had to be available at all events and not just music. The applicant’s agent noted that some customers would want a drink if attending an event during the early hours of the morning. They also stated that there could be some music events that go past 23.00 where the licence would need to be flexible. It was said that this would not be all the time but for certain events, hence the need for flexibility. Factory International is intended to have a variety of acts and events, and not intended to be a late-night bar. The applicant’s agent felt they had been as transparent as they could. They did note that long-term the applicant did not know the type of events that would be available at Factory International as the programming for the event schedule would be fluid.

 

Factory International did have a Business  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Application for a New Premises Licence - Swanky's, 320 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6XQ pdf icon PDF 125 KB

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 Hearing Panel also considered the written papers of the parties and the oral representations of the parties in attendance as well as the relevant legislation.

 

The applicant addressed the Hearing Panel, stating their proposal was for a café/bar within their salon. They noted that in the Fallowfield area, businesses struggle when students are at home. When students are at home, many bars close and the applicant was proposing a family run bar for the people who are resident to Fallowfield, open all year round. The bar is intended to be a local hub. The applicant had requested a Licence until 2am for one night a month for a Soul and Motown Night, for which conditions had been proposed. In total, the applicant had requested a late-night Licence for 21 days of the year. The applicant stated they knew the Licensing Objectives and for that reason, had soundproofed the ceiling as to not cause a noise nuisance to the HMO above the Premises. The applicant proposed the café/bar would serve food and drink, noting their awareness of the CIP but stating that they could not financially survive on the salon alone.

 

GMP questioned what was exceptional about this application that would allow the panel to go outside the CIP and how the applicant felt they would not add to the CIP by serving alcohol. The applicant noted this was to be a smaller, intimate café/bar. It would be family run and aim to serve the local residents, whereas other establishments are aimed at students. The applicant had done research with their clients and believed that people in the area wanted a premises similar to this. The applicant felt that the conditions added at the Planning Stage would assist in not adding to the CIP. The applicant noted they were not seeking a late-night bar.

 

LOOH questioned who the applicant expected to attend, and if the applicant or their salon had experience of running or working in a bar. The applicant believed their clients from the salon would attend the bar; it is what local residents want. The establishment is not just for alcohol but will also serve food. Students are welcome and the idea of a student night was referenced, but they were not the target audience. The applicant accepted they had no experience of running a bar but noted their length experience running a business. They stated that appropriate staff would be employed to run the bar.

 

The panel questioned the student night referenced on a Tuesday, how spiking would be prevented, and the outdoor area applied for. The applicant stated the venue was not a large one and that students may not go there due to this. The applicant felt that they did not want to discriminate against students in the area, hence the suggestion of a student night. The applicant stated that to prevent spiking they would operate table service as they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.