To consider the item urgent business, as agreed by the Chair.

The Chair agreed to the submission of the above application as consideration of Urgent Business.

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

A notice had been received by the Local Authority in respect of a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to use the pavement space immediately outside the venue on Sackville Street along the front elevation of the building and also to the side elevation on Richmond Steet and Bloom Street.

An objection notice had been received from Licensing and Out Of Hours (LOOH) on the basis that to allow two extra bars on the Richmond Street & Bloom Street sides of the premises would take up extra room at a pinch point which would obstruct the public highway where people could walk through or rest and would undermine the Licensing Objective (LO) of Public Safety.

A representative of the LOOH team advised that the premises had a large outside bar as well a Glitter and stage area. The TEN involved two additional bars and in view the increased popularity of PRIDE, the proposed additional bars would take up space where people would stand. She also made reference to previous objections to TENs during PRIDE, a verbal agreement was reached with each premises that an additional stage and a bar could be accommodated as long as they were within the parameters agreed. It became clear upon questioning however that the premises had not been part of that collective agreement and had no knowledge of it.

The Applicant confirmed that he was the Designated Premises Supervisor and operator and had been for seven and a half years. He outlined that these events were key to survival, that the LO’s and the safety of his staff would be upheld. He added that he employed 25 people, including more Security Industry Authority (SIA) staff than his licence required, operated Challenge 25 policy, and used metal detector wands and body cameras with audio recording. The premises had had previous TENs in 2019, 2021 and 2022, (2020 being COVID year and therefore not applicable).

The bars were the size of one of the Committee tables/desks and were mobile units. The nature of the event was that people would move around and that the location of the bars would be located had no specific entertainment scheduled and therefore people could get a quick drink and move on. The Applicant stated that he believed he had addressed the objections by way of barriers and staffing. He accepted the area was congested but that this was applicable to the whole area during PRIDE. He asserted that there was no intention to put his livelihood or his staff at risk and gave emphasis to GMP having not served an Objection Notice

In reaching its decision the Committee also have considered the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Regulations made there under and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of that Act and the licensing objectives.

The Panel took into consideration that the roads in the area would be closed during PRIDE and that patrons of the event would be circulating and moving from venue to venue.

The Panel also took into consideration that no issues had been raised in respect of the Operator/DPS and that no Objection Notice had been received from GMP. The Panel resolved that the Applicant was a good operator, with a good track record. The Panel also resolved that capacity would not be impacted by the placement of the two bars, (based on the approximate size details provided) and was satisfied that the event as stated would ensure the promotion of the LO of Public Safety. The Panel resolved that the Licensable activities could proceed as stated in the Notice and agreed not to serve a Counter-Notice.

Decision

To agree not to serve a Counter Notice.