The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel is scheduled to meet to consider two temporary event notices (TENs) for the venue XLR at 455-459 Wilmslow Road, Withington. Both TENs have received objections from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Licensing Out of Hours Compliance (LOOH). The panel will determine whether to issue counter notices against the TENs.

Temporary Event Notices for XLR, 455-459 Wilmslow Road

The panel is scheduled to consider two temporary event notices submitted by Chris Hindle for the premises XLR at 455-459 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4AN.

The first TEN is for an event on 27 September 2025, and the second is for an event on 4 October 2025. Both are described as student events, running from 22:00 to 03:00, and anticipate an attendance of 200 people. The report pack states that both GMP and LOOH have lodged objection notices against both TENs.

Objections from Greater Manchester Police and Licensing Out of Hours Compliance

Both GMP and LOOH recommend that the panel serve a counter notice for both TENs. According to the report pack, the objections are related to a new Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) trading model at XLR, which has received national media attention.

GMP's objection is summarised in the report pack as:

Greater Manchester Police have grave concerns regarding this new model and how the applicant will continue to promote the licensing objectives within the premises while customers are permitted to bring their own alcohol into the club. GMP state such loose control over alcohol consumption within the premises at this time will increase the risk of crime & disorder and be detrimental to public safety and public nuisance

LOOH's objection is summarised in the report pack as:

OOH state that the proposed arrangements for managing alcohol consumption within the premises appear insufficient and remain untested. OOH are concerned that that the licensing objectives will be not adequately promoted. Another concern LOOH have is that the application does not include any control measures or how they would mitigate risk from issues that may arise from bringing your own booze.

The report pack includes copies of the objection notices from GMP and LOOH. Sita Sakhale, Neighbourhood Compliance Officer, representing LOOH, is quoted as saying:

LOOH does not consider a TEN to be an appropriate platform for trialling a high-risk approach, particularly where customer safety is concerned. There is no indication in the application to state how the Bring Your Own Booze would be managed safely by staff. In the article it states: The club recommend that guests do not bring any more than eight cans or one bottle of spirits, which would need to be decanted from glass into other bottles.

PC 15092 Hammersley, representing GMP, is quoted as saying GMP do not feel that this TEN application is the opportunity to be taking a risk with customers safety.

Licensing Act 2003 Considerations

The report pack outlines several considerations under the Licensing Act 2003, including:

• Licensing Objectives: The panel must carry out its licensing functions with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, which are: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
• Secretary of State's Guidance: The panel must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
• Manchester Statement of Licensing Policy: The panel must have regard to Manchester's Statement of Licensing Policy, which sets out the vision for the regulation of licensed premises in Manchester.

The report pack notes that the panel can impose conditions on the TENs if they do not issue a counter notice, and that any conditions imposed must be consistent with the existing premises licence for XLR.

Existing Premises Licence

The report pack includes a copy of the existing premises licence for XLR, which permits the sale of alcohol, live music, and recorded music from 11:00 to 02:00, and late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 00:30. The licence includes a number of conditions relating to door supervisors, age verification, and the prevention of crime and disorder.