The Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Panel met to consider a summary review of a premises licence, and applications for three new premises licences and one variation of an existing premises licence. The panel was scheduled to discuss these matters, but it is not known if any decisions were reached.

Summary Review: Manahatta, Deansgate

The committee was scheduled to review the premises licence for Manahatta at 188-192 Deansgate, following an application for a summary review by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). A summary review can be triggered when police believe a premises is associated with serious crime or disorder.

According to the report pack, the application for a summary review was made following an incident on 9 August 2025, when police were called to the premises after a man who had been restrained by door staff became unconscious. GMP expressed concern that the door staff's actions had resulted in the man sustaining a serious, life-threatening injury.

The report pack included a decision from a previous hearing on interim steps to be taken, including a requirement for at least six door supervisors to be employed on Saturdays from 22:00 until closing, and for Councillor John Hughes, Deputy Chair of Licensing and Appeals Committee to conduct a site visit and provide a report.

The report pack also included an email from a licensing officer at GMP, noting several incidents that had occurred at Manahatta, including one in which a group of males in the VIP area began throwing glass at other customers, and another in which a male struck a door supervisor after being refused entry. The email stated that if there were further glass related assaults or other serious incidents, GMP would be forced to take further formal action.

Documents submitted by Woods Whur licensing solicitors on behalf of Arc Inspirations, the operator of Manahatta, included a report from a licensing consultant who visited the premises on 16 August 2025. The consultant stated that they observed a text book operation and that nothing was observed during this period of observations that breached or undermined any of the licensing objectives. The consultant recommended enhanced conflict management training for the security team, and enhanced training for all staff regarding proxy sales on behalf of underage customers.

Arc Inspirations offered a number of remedial actions to GMP, including unannounced inspections, limiting capacity in the raised area, increasing door staff provision, and installing a CCTV monitor on the front door.

New Premises Licence: Courtyard Cafe, Wythenshawe Park

The panel was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Courtyard Café, located in Wythenshawe Park. The applicant, Pebble and Friends Ltd, described the premises as a large outdoor area with catering trailers, open sky, and an indoor area of 30mx10m. The applicant requested permission to sell alcohol from 11:00 to 23:00 daily, for consumption both on and off the premises.

The report pack noted that two relevant representations had been received, from the licensing authority and the Parks Service. The licensing authority stated that the operating schedule did not address how the premises would integrate with event planning processes for the park. The Parks Service objected to the application, stating that it did not provide sufficient detail on how public safety would be managed in the context of alcohol sales, nor did it address the potential impact on children and families who regularly use the park. The Parks Service also stated that the proposed licensing hours were inconsistent with the park's operational hours of dawn until dusk.

Variation of Premises Licence: St John's Estate Public Realm

The panel was scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence at St John's Estate Public Realm, New Quay Street. The applicant, St Johns Estate Management Company Limited, sought to replace the existing wording of a condition relating to dispersal of customers.

The current condition stated:

There shall be restricted access on Grape Street to ensure that customers cannot reach Atherton Street or Lower Byrom Street from Grape Street. Customers shall be directed to disperse from Grape Street onto Goods Yard Street/Studio Way. Signage shall be displayed in prominent positions to advise customers of the dispersal route.

The applicant proposed to replace this with the following wording:

The dispersal policy will seek to discourage customers from dispersing down Grape Street in the direction of Atherton Street or Lower Byrom Street wherever possible. Customers will instead be directed to disperse down Goods Yard Street in the opposite direction to Grape Street wherever possible. Signage shall be displayed to advise customers of the dispersal route.

The report pack noted that 24 relevant representations had been received, including from two Deansgate ward councillors and 22 residents. The representations raised concerns about potential increases in noise disturbance, anti-social behaviour, and crime if the variation were granted.

New Premises Licence: Amazon Fulfilment Centre, Airport City

The panel was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Amazon Fulfilment Centre, Airport City, 6 Sunbank Lane. The applicant, Amazon UK Services Ltd, sought permission to sell alcohol for off-sales, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The premises is a purpose-built warehouse for distribution of products ordered online, and is not open to the general public.

The report pack noted that four relevant representations had been received from members of the public. The representations raised concerns about potential public safety and oversight concerns, the impact on workforce culture and morale, and the risk to local independent businesses.