The Licensing Sub Committee of Cardiff Council met on Wednesday 26 June 2024 to discuss several licensing applications and reviews. Key decisions included the approval of a new premises licence for a restaurant in Cardiff Bay and the revocation of a nightclub's licence in the city centre due to repeated breaches of licensing conditions.

New Premises Licence for Cardiff Bay Restaurant

The committee approved a new premises licence for a restaurant located in Cardiff Bay. The applicant, a local entrepreneur named Sarah Williams, presented her plans for a family-friendly dining establishment with a focus on locally sourced seafood. The committee discussed the potential impact on the local community, including noise levels and parking concerns.

Sarah Williams assured the committee that measures would be in place to mitigate any negative effects, such as soundproofing and designated parking areas. Councillor Paul Convery noted, The proposed measures show a commitment to being a responsible business in the community. The decision to grant the licence was unanimous.

Revocation of Nightclub Licence in City Centre

The committee decided to revoke the licence of a nightclub located in Cardiff city centre following multiple breaches of licensing conditions, including noise complaints and incidents of anti-social behaviour. The nightclub, operated by Urban Nightlife Ltd, had previously been issued warnings and had its hours restricted.

During the meeting, local residents and business owners provided testimonies about the ongoing issues. One resident stated, The noise and disturbances have made it impossible to live peacefully in our homes. The committee concluded that the nightclub had failed to address these concerns adequately and voted to revoke the licence.

Temporary Event Notices

The committee reviewed several Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for upcoming events in the city. These included applications for outdoor music festivals and community fairs. Each application was assessed for compliance with the Licensing Act 2003, which governs the sale of alcohol, provision of entertainment, and late-night refreshment.

Most of the TENs were approved with conditions to ensure public safety and minimise disruption. For example, an outdoor music festival in Bute Park was granted a TEN with the condition that noise levels be monitored and kept within acceptable limits.

Review of Licensing Policies

The committee also discussed a review of the council's licensing policies, focusing on updating guidelines to reflect changes in national legislation and local priorities. The review aims to balance the needs of businesses with the rights of residents to enjoy a peaceful environment.

Councillor Jane Smith highlighted the importance of community input in shaping these policies, stating, We need to ensure that our licensing framework supports economic growth while protecting the quality of life for our residents.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet 26th-Jun-2024 10.00 Licensing Sub Committee and the Public reports pack 26th-Jun-2024 10.00 Licensing Sub Committee.