The Belfast Council Licensing Committee convened on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, to address a range of licensing matters, including Houses in Multiple Occupation, amusement permits, street trading licences, and entertainment licences. The committee was scheduled to make final decisions on several applications and to discuss a clarification on competing street trading licence applications.

Amusement Permit for Players, Shaftesbury Square

The committee was scheduled to make a final decision on an application for the provisional grant of an amusement permit for Players, located at 22-23 Shaftesbury Square. This followed a previous meeting on 18 June 2025, where the committee was minded to refuse the application.

The applicant, Leanne McGivern of Play SS Limited, sought to extend the existing amusement arcade at 22 Shaftesbury Square into the rear ground floor of the adjacent unit at 23 Shaftesbury Square. The application requested permission to operate 69 gaming machines, an increase of 15 from the existing arcade, with a maximum all-cash prize of £500, in accordance with the Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (NI) 2025¹.

The committee had previously expressed concerns about the cumulative build-up of amusement arcades and increase in the number of gaming machines in a particular location, impacting on the character and amenity of the area.

The report pack included a statement from da architects Ltd and a statement from Leanne McGivern in support of the application, as well as the council's Amusement Permit Policy. Dr Tony Quinn of Braniff Associates, a planning consultant who advised the council on the Amusement Permit Policy, was scheduled to be present to discuss the policy's purpose and application.

Competing Street Trading Licence Applications

The committee was scheduled to address appeals related to competing stationary street trading licence applications for two locations:

• Boucher Crescent: Two applications from Mr Ajithjosedaniel Arputharaj and Mr Aaron Smallwood to trade at the designated site in Boucher Crescent at lamp post number 16.
• Duncrue Link: Two applications from Ms Vanessa Kemp and Mr Daniel Smith to trade at the designated site in Duncrue Link 50ft from the junction with Duncrue Road.

In both cases, the committee had previously been minded to grant one licence and refuse the other, based on the order in which the applications were received. The unsuccessful applicants had appealed, and the committee was scheduled to consider these appeals before making a final decision.

In the Boucher Crescent case, Mr Smallwood argued that his business, 'the toastie co', would bring a positive contribution to the local community, stressing the value and uniqueness of its offerings, including signature roasted house blend coffee, local baked goods, and high-quality toasties. He also stated that he had invested thousands of pounds into his business, working with local suppliers.

In the Duncrue Link case, Mr Smith's solicitor argued that basic fairness should dictate that the previous business should be allowed to continue, as Mr Smith had purchased the van off the previous trader. They also noted that Ms Kemp's father operates a food stand some 2 streets away, giving a concern about a degree of monopolisation.

The committee was scheduled to consider the Street Trading Licensing Policy in making its decisions.

Clarification on Competing Street Trading Licence Applications

The committee was also scheduled to discuss a report seeking to provide clarity on how the committee considers competing street trading licence applications. The report noted that the Council's Street Trading Licensing Policy was amended in March 2011 to assist members in determining competing applications.

Entertainments Licences for Liquid, Tomb Street

The committee was scheduled to consider applications for the grant of indoor and outdoor entertainments licences for Liquid, located at 10-14 Tomb Street. The applicant, Mr Malachy Houston of The River Rooms Belfast Ltd, sought a 7-Day Annual Indoor Entertainments Licence to provide music, singing, dancing, or any other entertainment of a like kind, and a 7-Day Annual Outdoor Entertainments Licence to provide outdoor musical entertainment.

The premises, formerly known as Libertine, previously operated as a public bar/nightclub and held an outdoor entertainments licence for the smoking area. The applicant proposed to provide entertainment in the same areas, with a maximum capacity of 180 persons on the ground floor, 220 persons on the first floor, and 200 persons in the external smoking area. The proposed hours of operation were the same as those granted for the previous licences: Monday to Saturday, 11.30am to 3.00am the following morning, and Sunday, 12.30pm to 3.00am the following morning.

The applicant stated that the extended hours were to reduce the impact of patrons all leaving at the same time and to be competitive with other premises in the vicinity. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had been consulted and had no objections to the application.

Cinema Licensing - Showing of Unclassified film The Negotiator

The committee was scheduled to note a decision taken under delegated authority by the Strategic Director of Place and Economy to approve the exhibition of the film The Negotiator in Cineworld, Belfast on 25 June 2025.

The film, supported by Queens University, Belfast, was part of the 'Docs Irelands' series of international documentary films. As the film had not been classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the Strategic Director of Place and Economy made the decision to allow the film to be shown as an unclassified film with an '18' rating, as the request was received after the June committee meeting and a decision was needed before the August meeting.