The Licensing and Gambling Sub-Committee met to consider an application from Reds Leisure Holdings Ltd to vary the premises licence for Reds, a sports bar located at 26 Exchange Street East, Liverpool, 2. The sub-committee resolved to approve the amended plans, remove live music from the application, and approve the removal and replacement of agreed conditions with Merseyside Police. The terminal hours for licensable activities were also agreed, with a condition added to Annexe 2 stating that there will be no 18th or 21st birthday events at the premises.

Reds, 26 Exchange Street East, Liverpool, 2

The sub-committee considered an application by Reds Leisure Holdings Ltd to vary the premises licence for Reds, a sports bar in Liverpool City Centre. The application sought to remove several conditions, change the licence plan, add films and indoor sporting events as licensable activities, and vary the hours for live music, recorded music, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol.

The applicant's representative addressed the sub-committee, stating that the application was made in good faith and that they had approached residents to discuss their concerns. They also stated that the requested hours were to compete with other businesses. Concerns raised by residents included vomiting, urination, and cigarette butts, but the representative argued that the premises has toilets and a glass frontage, making it unlikely that customers would urinate at the front of the premises. They also noted that there is an Air BnB above the premises that doesn't allow smoking in the rooms, so guests smoke outside. The representative also stated that the conditions requested to be removed were replaced with other conditions agreed with Merseyside Police, that indoor sport relates to a darts team, and that films would allow the premises to show past sporting events. They also stated that there is not a high level of footfall in the street and that the premises only gets busy when there is a football match.

The representative from Environmental Health told the sub-committee that a few noise complaints were received, so a visit took place, but a statutory nuisance¹ was not witnessed. They also stated that the premises has a noise limiter² fitted which is a condition of the premises licence, and that levels were set at the premises on 1 May, following sound proofing work taking place. They said that the levels were set during the day when the premises was empty which would give the worst-case scenario. They also stated that live music levels were tested at the same time and there were spikes in volume, and that the Premises Licence Holder said that they would be happy to reduce the hours for live music until 23:00. They said that their objection was because the live music is requested later, but that there have not been any noise complaints since the noise limiter was fitted.

Several local residents objected to the application, raising concerns about the reliability of the current sound arrangement and suggesting that an alternative limiter should be considered. One resident said:

We have nothing against the bar, we just want a good night's sleep.

Councillor Nick Small addressed the sub-committee, stating that issues first arose when the premises was Andersons . He said that the premises licence was reviewed and conditions were imposed, and that the premises licence was transferred and it became an Indian restaurant, with no issues in ten years. He also stated that the premises is now under new ownership, is situated in the quieter part of the City Centre, and that residents live above the premises in a former office block and there is another residential block next door. He said that they were happy that the applicant is willing to remove live music from the licence, but that they would like Condition 2 relating to 18th and 21st birthday parties to remain to give reassurance to residents.

The applicant's representative responded to the issues raised, stating that they would be happy to reduce the terminal hour by half an hour through the week – Sunday to Thursday until midnight, and that they have no intention of holding 18th or 21st birthday parties and would be happy with a condition about this. They also stated that there will never be any seating outside of the premises.

The sub-committee resolved to:

• Approve the amended plans
• Amend Condition 2 on Annexe 2 to state that there will be no 18th or 21st events at the premises
• Remove live music from the application
• Approve the removal and replacement of the agreed conditions with Merseyside Police
• Set the terminal hours for licensable activities to 00:00 Sunday – Thursday and 01:30 Friday – Saturday