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

The Hearing Panel considered a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing concerning an application for a Temporary Event Notice. The Hearing Panel considered the written papers of the parties submitted and the oral representations of the parties who attended, as well as the relevant legislation.

Licensing Out of Hours (LOOH), in their capacity as Environmental Health, addressed the Hearing Panel. They stated that when the notice was received, they had considered the nature of the area and the risk the event posed to undermining the Licensing Objectives. The premises is situated on a public road and a Traffic Regulation Order would be required to close the road to allow for tables and chairs to be placed outside the Premises. This order was not in place at the time of application, therefore LOOH opposed the granting of the notice. LOOH also had concerns regarding how the event would be managed, particularly relating to on and off-sales which raised concerns that customers could leave the premises with alcohol and thus breach the Public Spaces Protection Order in place. However, after speaking with the applicant, LOOH were satisfied that the outside space was for tables and chairs only, with no bar serving alcohol outside. LOOH had also spoken to the Highways team, who had confirmed that the Traffic Regulation Order would be approved should the Temporary Event Notice be approved.

The applicant addressed the Hearing Panel, noting that they had applied for the Traffic Regulation Order in the previous week. They noted that their premises was one of only a few in the Northern Quarter without outside seating. The applicant confirmed that the outside space would be tables and chairs only, with no bar serving alcohol.

LOOH sought clarity on the security that would be in place for the event and that no licensable activity would take place in the outside area. The applicant confirmed that there would be a security team, as well as a manager on-site during the event. The outside area would be cleared away at the end of the night. The applicant also confirmed that alcohol would only be served from inside the premises.

The panel queried if the outside space had been used before and if there had been any issues with that. The applicant confirmed that they had used the outside space during the COVID Pandemic and there had been no issues. The panel queried if the outside area would be table service and the applicant confirmed that customers could request that.

LOOH summed up by stating that they had no objection to the Temporary Event Notice should the Traffic Regulation Order be in place.

The applicant had nothing to add when invited to sum up.

In their deliberations, the panel considered the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Regulations made thereunder, and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of that Act and the licensing objectives. The panel were satisfied that the Traffic Regulation Order had been applied for and would be in place for the event, alleviating the concerns of LOOH. The panel were satisfied that the premises would have security in place to manage the outside space during the event. The panel were also satisfied that the applicant was a responsible operator and would be able to uphold the Licensing Objectives.

Decision

To grant the Temporary Event Notice.