This meeting was a Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel convened to discuss two applications for licensed premises in Manchester. The first was an application to vary the premises licence of AVAN Lounge on Great Ducie Street, and the second an application to vary the designated premises supervisor of Sky Lounge on Barlow Moor Road.

AVAN Lounge, UNIT 4, 163-165 GREAT DUCIE STREET, MANCHESTER, M3 1FF - App ref: Premises Licence variation PR202410-1572594

The Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled to consider an application to vary the licence of AVAN Lounge, a restaurant, shisha and entertainment bar.

The applicant, Benjamin Onalaja, requested permission for:

• Changes to the hours the premises is licensed for live music, recorded music and dance performances:
  • The current licence permits these activities from noon to midnight, Monday to Thursday, noon to 3am Friday and 10am to 3am Saturday and Sunday.
  • The applicant requested permission for these activities from noon to 4am Monday and Thursday, noon to midnight Tuesday and Wednesday and 9am to 4am Friday to Sunday.
• Changes to the hours the premises is licensed for the provision of late night refreshment:
  • The current licence permits this from 11pm to midnight Monday to Thursday and 11pm to 3am Friday to Sunday.
  • The applicant requested permission for the provision of late night refreshment from 11pm to midnight Tuesday and Wednesday and 11pm to 4am Thursday to Monday.
• Changes to the hours the premises is able to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises:
  • The current licence permits this from noon to midnight, Monday to Thursday, noon to 3am Friday and 10am to 3am Saturday and Sunday.
  • The applicant requested permission to sell alcohol from noon to 4am Monday and Thursday, noon to midnight Tuesday and Wednesday and 9am to 4am Friday to Sunday.
• Changes to the hours the premises is open to the public:
  • The current licence permits the premises to be open from noon to midnight, Monday to Thursday, noon to 3am Friday and 10am to 3am Saturday and Sunday.
  • The applicant requested permission for the premises to be open to the public from noon to 4am Monday and Thursday, noon to midnight Tuesday and Wednesday and 9am to 4am Friday to Sunday.

Representations were received from Greater Manchester Police, and Manchester City Council's Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team. Both organisations objected to the application.

Greater Manchester Police stated in their representation that:

The application seeks to extend the opening times and licensable activity times on the premises licence but the applicant has offered no further conditions to show how these extra hours (4 hours extra on some days) will not undermine the licensing objectives.

The police also stated that there had been a recent assault at the venue, and when an officer attended on 6 November 2024 they were told that they have had no working CCTV for the last 3 weeks , which would be a breach of the premises' licence. The report to the committee recommends refusal.

Manchester City Council's Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team stated in their representation that they have received complaints regarding the businesses operating in this area of Great Ducie Street , although they noted that these have not been identified as coming from AVAN Lounge directly . They were concerned that allowing the increased operating hours may increase the likelihood of public nuisance and further cause for complaints . The report to the committee recommends refusal.

Sky Lounge, 241 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, M21 7QL – Application ref: Variation of Premises DPS PR202411-1582318

The Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled to consider an application to vary the designated premises supervisor at Sky Lounge, a Turkish restaurant.

The applicant and premises licence holder, Mr Salar Henareh, requested permission to become the designated premises supervisor.

A representation objecting to the application was received from Greater Manchester Police.

The police stated in their representation that they had serious concerns as to his suitability to become the Designated Premises Supervisor . They noted that Mr Henareh had been refused permission to be the designated premises supervisor at two previous hearings, in January 2024 and November 2024.

The police also noted that the premises licence was subject to a review following concerns including persistent refusal from the Licence Holder to comply with the hours & multiple conditions of the licence and offences being committed under the Health Act 2006 relating to smoke free legislation . The review hearing, held on 22 January 2024, resulted in the licence being revoked, although the premises is still able to trade as the decision has been appealed by Mr Henareh.

The police also noted that there have been further concerns since the review, including further breaches of smoke free legislation, and that the premises had been operating without a designated premises supervisor for 10 months. The report to the committee recommends refusal.