The Committee heard from the Applicant as to the nature of the premises they intend to operate being a community theatre venue. The Committee were informed that the club has been established for a significant period and they move to different venues to bring their cultural experience to different locations. They have now spent a significant amount of money transforming the old Council library. They currently hold 6 plays a year for a week each however they may hold more than this is they can get any visiting groups. They confirmed that the proposed DPS will train all the staff and that if they have visiting groups then the club members will be on site to manage the premises. When asked about the potential visiting groups they gave an example of the most recent being Altrincham Grammar School.

Conditions were also included by the Applicant in the operating schedule confirming that the theatre bar will only be open to audience members and those taking part in performances and rehearsals meaning that it can therefore not operate as just a bar open to the general public when there are no performances on.  

In relation to the risk of people breaking into the premises the Applicant addressed the Committee on the actions taken to make the venue more secure.

Licensing and Out of Hours attended the meeting and confirmed that agreement has been reached on a number of further conditions to prevent any potential public nuisance.

The Committee carefully considered the written representations from the resident objectors, who were not in attendance. The Committee were of the view that with the comments of the Applicant as to the nature of the business intending to operate, the conditions in their operating schedule and the additional conditions agreed that these concerns had been appropriately addressed.

Taking all of the representations into account the Committee were satisfied that the Applicant was a responsible operator and that the licensing objectives’ would be upheld if the licence was granted with the additional conditions agreed with Licensing and Out of Hours.

Decision

To grant the application subject to the following conditions.

Conditions

1.    No noise shall emanate from the premises nor vibration be transmitted through the structure of the premises that gives rise to a nuisance.

2.    All windows and external doors shall be kept closed at any time when regulated entertainment takes place, except for the immediate access and egress of persons.

3.    Notices shall be prominently displayed at any area used for smoking, requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and use the area quietly.

4.    Staff shall monitor customers smoking outside the premises on a regular basis and ensure patrons do not cause a public nuisance.

5.    A direct telephone number for the manager of the premises shall be publicly available at all times the premises are open.

6.    This telephone number is to be made available to residents in the vicinity.

7.    Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and leave the area quietly.

8. The theatre and bar will be manned by volunteers whenever there is an audience due to be in, and a nominated individual will always be the responsible person on site during these times.

9. The theatre and bar will only be open to audience members and those who are taking part in the performance in some way. The bar will not be open to members of the general public, and as such only a limited number of people will ever be allowed entrance.

10. The theatre and bar will be closed after each performance, and people will not be served alcohol if they are deemed to be under the influence. In all instances the terms of the Leasehold will be adhered to (which includes provisions for mitigating against public nuisance instances).

11. Whenever children are present on site (those deemed to be under the age of 16), they will need to be accompanied by a parent / guardian or responsible adult.

12. Alcohol will not be served to those who are under the age of 18, and a “Think 25” policy will be in place to ensure only those who are over the age of 18 will be permitted to purchase alcoholic beverages.

13. If a group of children will be using the premises, then there would be a requirement to ensure appropriately approved responsible persons (with necessary DBS checks in place) are present.