The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel of Manchester Council met on Monday 27 July 2026 to consider applications related to the premises licence for Beilul Lounge. The meeting's agenda included discussions on an application to vary the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and an application to transfer the premises licence.

Application to Vary Premises Licence for Beilul Lounge

The panel was scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Beilul Lounge, located at the first and second floors, 100 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 5AJ. This application sought to specify an individual as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). The report pack indicated that this application had attracted objections.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) submitted a representation objecting to the application. GMP's grounds for objection were based on an ongoing premises licence review due to serious concerns that the premises had been undermining all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. GMP noted that they had visited the premises multiple times and found significant compliance issues. Despite efforts to work with the current Premises Licence Holder and DPS, little improvement was made, and breaches of licence conditions continued. GMP stated that the applicant had provided no supporting information demonstrating their suitability to become the new DPS and did not believe a new DPS would be able to address the existing concerns before the review hearing. GMP recommended that the application be refused.

The report pack also detailed that a standard review application for the premises licence had been submitted by GMP on 8 June 2026, with a hearing scheduled for 3 August 2026.

Application to Transfer Premises Licence for Beilul Lounge

The panel was also scheduled to consider an application for the transfer of the premises licence for Beilul Lounge, located at the first and second floors, 100 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 5AJ. The applicant for this transfer was Teklewevni Wolday Fessaha, with the current licence holder being Mehari Kesete.

Similar to the variation application, this transfer application had also attracted objections from Greater Manchester Police. GMP's representation outlined the same grounds for objection as those submitted for the DPS variation. They highlighted the ongoing premises licence review due to serious concerns about the undermining of licensing objectives, repeated visits finding significant compliance issues, and a lack of improvement despite efforts to work with the current licence holder and DPS. GMP stated that the applicant had provided no supporting information demonstrating their suitability to become the new licence holder and believed that a change at this stage could further undermine the licensing objectives. GMP recommended that the application be refused.

The report pack noted that the application to vary the DPS was submitted concurrently with this transfer application and was accepted on 19 June 2026. This variation application also faced an objection from GMP and was scheduled for a hearing on the same day as the transfer application.

A response to GMP's representation was submitted by the applicant, Tekleweyni Wolday Fessaha. The applicant acknowledged the concerns raised by GMP regarding the previous operation and management of the premises, as well as the ongoing review process. However, the applicant stressed that they had no involvement in the previous operation, had no connection with the previous licence holder or management team, and was not responsible for any alleged breaches. The applicant stated they were an experienced premises licence holder aware of their responsibilities and willing to work constructively with GMP and other responsible authorities. The applicant proposed immediate steps upon transfer, including a full review of licence conditions, staff training, CCTV system checks, maintenance of an incident log, and open communication with GMP. The applicant also expressed willingness to consider additional conditions and proposed a formal premises compliance review within the first month of transfer. The applicant respectfully submitted that the application should be considered on its merits, highlighting their lack of involvement in previous issues, their experience, and their commitment to responsible operation.