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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding an Interim Steps hearing for Summary Review of the premises licence at History, Deansgate Court, 244 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4BQ.

The summary review was requested by GMP following two incidents at the premises which took place in the early hours of 12 and 19 September 2021. The application was made under section 53(B) of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Hearing Panel considered the written papers, oral representations of all parties as well as the relevant legislation.

GMP addressed the Hearing Panel to explain that both serious crime and serious disorder incidents had taken place at the premises. GMP confirmed that the incident on 12 September 2021 was due to a member of door staff being wounded after ejecting a patron from the premises. The second incident on 19 September 2021 occurred when a large throng of approximately 100 people stormed the queue and forced their way inside the premises leaving 8 door staff overwhelmed. At around 04:00 people were ejected, males were searched and found to be in possession of knives. GMP stated that the scale of the incident caused them to deploy all night-time staff to the premises to take control of the situation. Photographs were shown of two knives and CCTV footage of outside and inside the premises showed the barrier being stormed at around 01:00, the congregation rushing up the stairs and then the outbreak of violence within the club.

In responding to questions from the Hearing Panel and the agent for the premises, GMP stated that the Tactical Aid Unit had also been deployed, that the congregation had previously been attending a mixed martial arts event in Bolton and that this particular Saturday night was not predicted to be high risk by GMP.

The agent acting on behalf of the premises addressed the Hearing Panel and stated that their client was fully aware the serious nature of these incidents and that they were in agreement with the request to suspend the licence. The agent expressed that 8 door staff is more than most nightclubs would employ and that metal detector wands are in regular use at the premises. The agent further expressed that 8 door staff would not have been enough to stop 100 people storming the premises and only a 1 on 1 arrangement could have halted the incident. The agent confirmed that some of the people who had been arrested possessed knives and concluded by stating that their client would seek to work with GMP as they wished to lift the suspension, noting the difficulties nightclubs have endured during enforced periods of lockdown.

In responding to questions from GMP and the Hearing Panel, the Managing Director confirmed that the door staff should have been wearing their hi-vis jackets as per the licensing conditions and stated that these were handed out later on during the incident, that this was not a normal night and customers normally queue and enter in a steady stream and that they would work with GMP to be prepared for any such future incidents.

Given the nature of the incidents, the Hearing Panel considered it necessary to suspend the licence pending the final review hearing.

Decision

To suspend the premises licence with immediate effect.