The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel, consisting of Councillor Julie Connolly, Chair of Licensing and Appeals Committee, Councillor Debbie Hilal, and Councillor Fiaz Riasat, convened to consider a new premises licence application and a temporary event notice. The panel was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for MS Local, and a temporary event notice for the Church of Ascension Hulme.

Here's a breakdown of the key items from the agenda:

MS Local, 103-105 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8PY

The panel was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for MS Local, 103-105 Cheetham Hill Road. The applicant, Jai Narang, described the premises as a:

Double fronted commercial unit to be used as a convenience store

The application requested permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, and to remain open between 7am and 3am, Monday to Sunday.

According to the report pack, the council undertook a 28-day public consultation exercise, which resulted in relevant representations being received, triggering the need for a hearing.

The report pack noted that the Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team (LOOH) initially objected to the application, concerned that the premises was near several late-night venues, potentially increasing public nuisance. However, this objection was later withdrawn after the applicant agreed to reduce the opening hours and hours for the sale of alcohol to 7am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

A member of the public also submitted an objection, arguing that Cheetham Hill has historically suffered from elevated levels of antisocial behaviour, and that granting a further licence with sales until 3am risked undermining efforts to control crime and public nuisance in the locality. They recommended that the application be refused.

The council's Trading Standards team also initially objected to the application, but later withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to a number of conditions, including the implementation of a Challenge 25 policy¹ and staff training.

The report pack outlined a number of key policies and considerations relevant to the application, including:

• The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005
• The Secretary of State's Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003
• Manchester's Statement of Licensing Policy, which aims to ensure that licensed venue density reflects an appropriate mix of venue types.

The report pack stated that the panel was asked to consider the representations received and determine the application, taking into account the licensing objectives², national guidance, and the council's licensing policy.

Church of Ascension, 282 Stretford Road, M15 5TQ

The panel was also scheduled to consider a report regarding a temporary event notice (TEN) for the Church of Ascension Hulme, 282 Stretford Road, submitted by Lee-Ann Igbon. The event was described as a community fundraiser with food, a quiz, a raffle and refreshments for adults.

A temporary event notice is required when licensable activities³ are planned, but a premises does not hold a relevant licence.

The Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team (LOOH) submitted an objection notice, raising concerns about how the event would be managed. The LOOH asked a number of questions, including:

• Whether refreshments would be sold in bottles/cans or dispensed into plastic vessels or cardboard cups.
• Whether the event was ticketed or a walk-in event, and how attendee numbers would be managed.
• Whether children were allowed at the event, and what measures were in place to protect them from harm by gaining access to alcohol.
• Whether stewards were SIA trained⁴ and present at the exits, and what measures were in place to stop people from leaving the premises with alcohol.
• What measures were in place to limit/prevent any noise outbreak from the event affecting nearby residents.

The report pack stated that the panel was asked to consider the objection notice and give a counter notice if it considered it appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives. The report pack also noted that the panel could impose conditions on the TEN if it decided not to give a counter notice.