The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel of Manchester Council met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to consider several applications related to premises licences. The agenda included applications for new premises licences, variations to existing licences, and a review of a premises licence. Additionally, a temporary event notice was scheduled for discussion following an objection.

Application for a New Premises Licence - Istanbul Turkish Cuisine

The panel was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Istanbul Turkish Cuisine, located at 187 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 5AQ. The application, which sought permission for late-night refreshment from 11 pm to 1 am daily, had attracted objections from both Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the Council's Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance team (LOOH).

Both objectors raised concerns that the application was poorly completed, with references to licensable activities not applied for, such as regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol. Investigations by the LOOH team reportedly found the premises open and serving hot food after 11 pm on multiple occasions, with one officer purchasing food after midnight. GMP recommended refusal, stating that these apparent offences undermined the licensing objectives. LOOH also recommended refusal, citing a lack of knowledge of the Licensing Act 2003 and concerns about the management of online delivery platforms. The report indicated that an investigation into an alleged offence under Section 136 of the Licensing Act 2003 was ongoing.

Variation of Premises Licence - Momona Bar and Cafe

The panel was also scheduled to discuss a variation application for Momona Bar and Cafe, at 24 Sherborne Street, Manchester, M3 1EF. The application sought to extend the hours for recorded music, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol to 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays, with the premises closing at 4:30 am on those days.

This variation had also attracted objections from GMP and the LOOH Compliance Team. GMP objected on the grounds of potential negative impacts on the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. They noted an increase in antisocial behaviour and criminality in the vicinity and expressed concern that the extended hours would attract intoxicated individuals from the city centre. GMP indicated a willingness to withdraw their objection if the applicant agreed to proposed additional conditions, including the mandatory use of SIA-registered door supervisors and body-worn video devices.

The LOOH Compliance Team objected primarily on the grounds of preventing public nuisance, citing the proximity of residential areas in Manchester and Salford and the cumulative impact of noise from licensed premises in the locality. They also expressed concern that extended hours would increase the availability of alcohol and exacerbate alcohol-related antisocial behaviour and littering. Both objectors highlighted the applicant's failure to propose additional safety and security measures.

Review of Premises Licence - Beilul Lounge

A review of the premises licence for Beilul Lounge, located on the first and second floors at 100 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 5AJ, was scheduled for consideration. The review application was submitted by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on the grounds that the licence holder had allegedly failed to uphold the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.

The GMP application detailed numerous licensing breaches identified during an inspection, including unsupervised alcohol, lack of a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) on site, insufficient staff training, poor management oversight, and hygiene issues, including a rat infestation and blocked escape routes. Despite opportunities to rectify these issues, most remained unresolved. GMP was seeking the revocation of the premises licence. The report noted that applications for the transfer of the licence and a DPS variation had also been submitted and were due to be heard separately. No relevant representations from other parties had been received regarding this review.

Variation of Premises Licence - Projekts MCR

The panel was also set to consider a variation application for Projekts MCR, at Projekts Skateboard Park, 41 Baring Street, Manchester, M1 2PY. The application sought to vary existing licence conditions to remove duplication, clarify wording, replace prescriptive requirements with risk-based controls, and ensure conditions remain appropriate to the premises' operation.

This application had attracted objections from GMP and the LOOH Team. GMP stated that the proposed changes would weaken the Premises Licence and remove appropriate safeguards. They cited a poorly planned and managed externally promoted event on 29 May 2026, which they claimed was unsafe and required emergency service attendance, highlighting that licensing objectives were not adequately promoted. GMP noted that tickets had been over-issued, leading to refused ticket holders climbing fences to gain entry. GMP requested the application be refused in its entirety.

The LOOH Team also objected, stating they did not accept that the proposed amendments would continue to promote the licensing objectives to the same extent as the existing conditions. They highlighted concerns about the premises' operating history and recent compliance record, referencing the same May event where public safety and crime and disorder were compromised. LOOH considered it inappropriate to reduce regulatory controls without evidence that risks had been addressed and noted the applicant had not proposed additional measures discussed after the event.

Temporary Event Notice - Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Fair

Finally, the panel was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for the Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Fair, to be held in the Chinatown Car Park, junction of Nicholas Street and Faulkner Street, M1 4BP. The TEN, submitted by Liang Xiong, sought permission for alcohol sales and consumption within a designated and barrier-controlled area (Stalls 20-22) as part of the wider festival.

An objection notice had been received from the Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team (LOOH). LOOH stated that the TEN did not provide sufficient detail for responsible authorities to assess how the licensable activities would be managed and controlled. They specifically requested supporting documentation demonstrating authority to occupy the area, a detailed site plan, and written arrangements for security, stewarding, access control, crowd management, dispersal, waste management, and age verification. Without this information, LOOH was unable to be satisfied that the activities could proceed without undermining the licensing objectives and therefore maintained its objection.