The Statutory Licensing Sub Committee met on Wednesday 27 March 2024 and approved a premises licence application for Main Stage, located at 36 Castle Street, Swansea, SA1 1HZ, with modified conditions. The committee also received information regarding the committee's procedure.

Premises Licence for Main Stage, Swansea

The committee approved a new premises licence for Main Stage, located at 36 Castle Street, Swansea, SA1 1HZ, with modified conditions. The application sought to allow for the licensable activities of films, live music, recorded music, late-night refreshment, and the supply of alcohol, all from 10:00 to 01:00 daily.

The premises is described as a cabaret bar by night and a coffee shop and meeting place for the LGBTQ+ community during the day. The application was situated within the council's Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) area, meaning the applicant had to demonstrate that their operation would not add to the existing cumulative impact on licensing objectives.

The Licensing Authority had initially made a representation, expressing concerns that the applicant had not provided sufficient information to demonstrate how the licensing objectives would be promoted and that the premises would not add to the cumulative impact. Specific concerns were raised about the proximity of residential units and the management of noise from the premises. The Licensing Authority suggested several additional conditions, including keeping windows and doors closed during regulated entertainment and when the PA system is in use, and ensuring loudspeakers are not located in the entrance lobby or outside the building. They also proposed conditions related to a QR code table service system, waiter/waitress service, and no direct bar service during regulated entertainment or when the PA system is in use.

During the meeting, the applicant, Martin Jones, explained the nature of the venue as an LGBTQ+ space and highlighted the need for such a venue in Swansea. He acknowledged anomalies in his application, which he attributed to a cut and paste error from a previous application for a different location. He provided further details on the venue's layout, capacity, and operational plans, including staff recruitment and training. The applicant agreed to several proposed conditions, including a modification to the rubbish removal times from 23:00 to 21:00.

Following discussions and the consideration of a revised Part M document detailing how the licensing objectives would be promoted, the committee resolved to grant the application. The approved licence includes the original proposed hours and activities, along with a comprehensive set of conditions consistent with the operating schedule and the modified Part M document. These conditions cover aspects such as CCTV, the use of non-glass receptacles on event days, the deployment of SIA licensed door supervisors, the presence of a personal licence holder at all times alcohol is sold, a register of door supervisors, drug search policies, participation in local safety schemes, an incident recording book, restrictions on outside drinking, customer capacity management, orderly queue supervision, rubbish removal times, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, a log of refused alcohol sales, staff training records, clear signage regarding age restrictions, and the placement of live band performances in the basement only, with a double-door entry system to mitigate music nuisance.

The committee noted that while representations were made by the Licensing Authority concerning the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance, no representations were received from South Wales Police, Trading Standards, Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, Health and Safety, the Planning Authority, Child Protection, or the Local Health Board. Representations from the Pollution Division and one other person had been withdrawn prior to the meeting. The committee concluded that the representations, with the inclusion of additional conditions, were sufficient to promote the licensing objectives.

Statutory Licensing Sub Committee Procedure

The committee received information regarding the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee Procedure, as presented by the Lead Lawyer, Adrian Jeremiah. This item was for information only.