The Licensing Sub-Committee of Trafford Council will be provided with an application for a new premises licence for So Marrakech, a restaurant at 25 Market Street, Altrincham. The application has been made under the Licensing Act 2003¹.

The Sub-Committee will also be provided with representations made by four local residents about the application, as well as confirmation that no representations were received from Responsible Authorities, including Greater Manchester Police and Trafford Council's Environmental Health & Pollution Control.

Application for a new premises licence for So Marrakech, 25 Market Street, Altrincham

Trafford Council have received an application from Miss Anissa Damoussi for a new premises licence for So Marrakech at 25 Market Street, Altrincham.

The applicant proposes that the licence would permit the sale of alcohol from 12:00 - 22:30 seven days a week.

The application also seeks permission for the restaurant to open to the public between 09:00 - 23:00 seven days a week.

Appendix A of the report pack contains the full application. The applicant has described their business as:

High Street Moroccan themed Restaurant. Serving breakfasts and authentic cuisine. There is a basement level area which is currently underdeveloped. This is a plan for the future, it has been included in the plan for this application, it will not be in use in the immediate future as it will hopefully be used for small meetings/functions etc moving forward.

The application describes a number of steps that the applicant proposes to take in order to promote the four licensing objectives. These include the use of CCTV; maintaining a written incident log; ensuring that staff can produce identification when requested; a Challenge 25 policy; staff training; and ensuring that exits are kept clear.

Appendix C of the report pack contains a list of additional measures that the applicant has agreed with the council's Environmental Protection department, including a requirement to keep doors and windows closed during the performance of regulated entertainment; placing notices requesting that customers leave quietly; a ban on emptying bottle bins between 21:00 and 08:00; a ban on amplified music outside; and a requirement to have a noise management plan.

Representations from local residents

Trafford Council's licensing authority received four representations from members of the public relating to the application.

Noise concerns

Three residents of flats above So Marrakech objected to the application on the grounds that it would be likely to increase noise levels late at night.

I would like to raise a representation against the application for ‘So Marrakech’ on Market Street in Altrincham to sell alcohol and stay open later in the evenings... I am concerned about the noise which would emanate from the property below whilst I’m trying to sleep.

I would like to do so on the grounds that there is already frequent disruption late into the night from drunk patrons of other businesses in the area which would only be enhanced by having an alcohol establishment in our very building.

This disruption can be detrimental to my night’s sleep at the best of times and do not want it exacerbated by increased crowds and rowdiness underneath my bedroom window.

I am a resident of 1 Market Street (1l), sitting above the shop and do not feel it would be appropriate for this business to stay open until unsociable hours. We already subject to increased noise from new businesses/clubs/applications to serve alcohol, as well as new crowds that flock to Altrincham every year. I feel, as a resident here for over 7 years, it would create unnecessary noise from revellers, music and events that would impede on our psychological and physical welfare.

Antisocial behaviour

One resident objected to the application on the grounds that it was likely to increase antisocial behaviour.

As our building door is adjacent to the cafe, I’m worried about drunk people ringing the buzzers and urinating in the door way. As this does happen sometimes without any extra establishments serving more alcohol.