The Licensing Sub Committee is scheduled to consider applications for new premises licences for two venues: the Cardiff Bay Arena and Crunx Chicken. The committee will review the details of each application, including proposed operating hours and licensable activities, alongside any representations received from interested parties.

Cardiff Bay Arena Premises Licence Application

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to be dedicated to the application for a Premises Licence for the Cardiff Bay Arena, located at Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4UW. Live Nation (Music) UK Limited has applied for a licence to permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, the provision of regulated entertainment including plays, films, live music, and dance, and the provision of late-night refreshment. The proposed operating hours for the venue are Monday to Sunday, 09:00 to 03:00, with licensable activities generally permitted until 02:00.

The report pack indicates that representations have been received from South Wales Police, other persons, and a local resident. South Wales Police have objected to the grant of the licence as applied for, citing concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder, protection of children from harm, and prevention of public nuisance. A number of conditions have been agreed between South Wales Police and the applicant, covering aspects such as CCTV, incident logging, staff training, and crowd management. However, some conditions, including minimum staffing ratios for security and stewards, the use of body-worn video devices, and limits on alcohol sales per patron, remain points of disagreement.

Numerous objections have also been lodged by local residents and ward councillors. Key concerns raised include the proposed late operating hours, particularly the sale of alcohol until 02:00 daily, and the potential for increased noise, disturbance, anti-social behaviour, and littering in the surrounding residential areas. Residents have highlighted the lack of public transport after midnight and the arena's location within a densely populated residential area as factors that could exacerbate these issues. Some representations suggest that the proposed hours are inconsistent with those of other major venues in Cardiff and that the licence should be more closely aligned with event timings. There is also concern regarding the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

Conversely, one representation in support of the application has been received from a Cardiff resident, who believes the arena will be a positive development for the area, creating a more vibrant evening economy and attracting major events. This resident suggests that a professionally operated venue of this scale is well-placed to manage licensing objectives effectively.

The committee will need to consider the proposed operating schedule, the representations received, and the legal considerations outlined in the report pack when determining the application. This includes the potential to grant the application, modify licence conditions, or reject the application in whole or in part.

Crunx Chicken Premises Licence Application

The committee will also consider an application for a Premises Licence for Crunx Chicken, located at 22 Mackintosh Place, Cardiff, CF24 4RQ. Crunx Chicken Limited has applied for a licence to provide late-night refreshment indoors. The proposed operating hours for the premises are Monday to Sunday, 12:00 to 04:00, with the provision of late-night refreshment specifically requested between 23:00 and 04:00. The applicant states that the premises will operate as a halal chicken takeaway, will not sell alcohol, and will not provide regulated entertainment.

Representations have been received from South Wales Police, Pollution Control, and a local ward councillor. South Wales Police have objected on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm. They have proposed conditions including CCTV installation, an incident logbook, no alcohol on the premises, restrictions on seating use after 23:00, no amplified external music, and a restriction on unaccompanied persons under 18 after 22:00. The applicant has agreed to reduce the licensable hours from 04:00 to 03:00.

The Cardiff & Vale Pollution Control department has objected on the grounds of prevention of public nuisance, citing concerns about noise from customers, delivery drivers, operational activities, and congregation outside the premises, particularly during the proposed late hours. They have suggested that the proposed hours are inappropriate for the locality and have requested a management plan addressing noise, dispersal, and waste, or a reduction in operating hours to 00:00.

Ward councillors for Plasnewydd have also formally opposed the application, citing concerns about the unsuitability of the 04:00 terminal hour in a densely populated residential area. They believe this would likely undermine the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance, leading to increased disturbance, littering, and anti-social behaviour. A petition signed by local residents has also been submitted in objection.

The applicant has since proposed a revised operating hour of 15:00 to 02:00, seven days a week, and has outlined additional operating measures including CCTV, a takeaway-only service, management of delivery drivers, noise control, litter management, customer dispersal, and incident records. They have requested that these revised hours and measures be incorporated into the application and that the parties who submitted representations reconsider their positions.

The committee will need to consider these representations and the applicant's revised proposals when making its determination.