The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel of Manchester Council met on Friday 12 June 2026 to consider two Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for premises in the Piccadilly ward. Both notices received objections from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and, in one case, the Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team, citing concerns related to public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.

Temporary Event Notice for Red Light Bar, 2 Little David Street, Manchester, M1 3GA

The panel was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Red Light Bar at 2 Little David Street, Manchester, M1 3GA. The TEN was submitted by Deana Ferguson for a Gay Pride street party event scheduled from 27 August to 31 August 2026. The proposed activities included a street party on the courtyard of Little David Street from 3pm to 10pm, followed by a party inside the bar until 2am. The capacity was stated as 250 people, with security staff to monitor numbers.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) submitted an objection notice, raising concerns about public safety due to the event's proximity to the contemporaneous Manchester City Pride event. GMP's primary concern was the ability of emergency services to access the area in the event of an emergency, specifically regarding the proposed steel shield barrier. GMP sought clarification on security arrangements and whether the barrier could be moved quickly for emergency access.

The report pack indicated that Deana Ferguson stated the barriers were steel and provided by Kampus, described as easy to move and manned by SIA staff.

Temporary Event Notice for Velvet, 2 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE

The panel was also scheduled to consider a TEN for Velvet at 2 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE. The TEN was submitted by Kim Krohn for the August Bank Holiday weekend, from 28 August to 31 August 2026, proposing outside entertainment via DJs and two paid bars serving alcohol and soft drinks. The stated attendance was 200 people.

Objection notices were received from both the Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team (LOOH) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

The LOOH team objected on the grounds that all four licensing objectives were likely to be undermined. Their concerns included the lack of prior consultation with the new Pride event organisers, Manchester Village Pride CIC, and Manchester City Council. They also stated that the TEN lacked sufficient detail on how the event would be managed, including SIA registered security staff, customer number control, noise management, dispersal plans, and risk assessments. A previous incident on 23 August 2025, where alcohol sales continued after being instructed to cease, was cited as a reason for concern about potential non-compliance.

GMP's objection focused on the requested operating times for the TEN, which they stated were outside the pre-agreed event times between GMP, Manchester City Council, and Manchester Village Pride CIC, and also in contravention of the Public Space Protection Order¹ in force within Manchester City Centre. GMP also raised concerns about the lack of confirmation regarding SIA registered security staff, CCTV, and the use of plastic drinking vessels. They indicated that they would withdraw their objection if the applicant confirmed the use of plastic vessels and amended the timings to conform to the pre-agreed event times.

The report pack noted that the TEN application was for premises on Manchester City Council land, and no Street Trading application had been received.