Agenda item

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details an application from The Moor Club for the variation of the club premises certificate to extend the start and finish times for the provision of regulated entertainment including films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music and performances of dance.  It is also proposed that the start and finish times be extended for the provision of entertainment facilities including the provision of facilities for dancing and the provision of facilities for entertainment and for the supply of alcohol.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to consider the application for a variation of the Club Premises Certificate at The Moor Club.

Officer contact: Sarah Tooth on 474 4176 or email:sarah.tooth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application from The Moor Club for the variation of the club premises certificate to extend the start and finish times for the provision of regulated entertainment including films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music and performances of dance at The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road.  It was also proposed that the start and finish times be extended for the provision of entertainment facilities including the provision of facilities for dancing and the provision of facilities for entertainment and for the supply of alcohol.

Representatives of the applicants attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application.

The applicant’s representative reported that he wished to amend the application to reduce the proposed hours for the supply of alcohol for members and guests on the premises and the hours for the provision of films indoors; provision of indoor sports, together with live and recorded music indoors; dance indoors; the facilities for dance indoors and facilities like music/ dance to 10:00 to 00:00 hours, Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 to 01:00 hours Friday and Saturday.  The applicant’s representative further stated that he wished to remove the current ‘seasonal variation’ with regard to Good Friday such that it was treated as any other Friday for the purposes of licensable activity.

An objector attended the meeting, explained their objections to the proposals and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application.  There were no representations made by any responsible authorities.

The Sub-Committee, having heard the interested parties, proceeded to consider the licensing objectives in respect of the application, together with the relevant parts of the Council’s Licensing Policy and the guidance from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  However, the decision was reached on consideration of all the arguments given in relation to this specific application.

The Sub-Committee found the following:-

(i)           Crime and Disorder

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective.

(ii)          Protection of Children

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective.

(iii)         Public Safety

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective.

(iv)         Public Nuisance

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective, namely that there were concerns that customers of The Moor Club will be outside creating noise and that amplified live music would disturb local residents.  However, the Sub-Committee noted with approval the content of the applicant’s operating schedule with regard to this licensing objective, and further noted that the applicant had offered to amend his application to reflect the concerns of local residents and to the extent that the application satisfactorily addressed this licensing objective.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the hours for the for the supply of alcohol for members and guests on the premises be approved as follows:-

·         10:00 to 00.00 hours, Sunday to Thursday.

·         10:00 to 01:00 hours Friday and Saturday.

·         12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 22:30, on Christmas Day;

·         From the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day

(2) That the hours for the provision of films indoors; provision of indoor sports, together with live and recorded music indoors; dance indoors; the facilities for dance indoors and facilities like music/ dance be approved as follows:-

·         10:00 to 00.00 hours, Sunday to Thursday.

·         10:00 to 01:00 hours Friday and Saturday.

(3) That it be noted that the stated, standard opening hours of the premises are as follows:-

·         10:00 to 00.00 hours, Sunday to Thursday.

·         10:00 to 01:00 hours Friday and Saturday.

·         From the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day

(4) That CCTV be in operation at all times when the club is open.

(5) That a digital hard drive CCTV system must be in operation. A minimum of two CCTV cameras shall be positioned in the Function Room (front room) to capture the area where customers have legitimate access.  An additional camera must be positioned at both entrances/exits to the premises to enable facial recognition of customers entering.  The CCTV recorded images shall have sufficient clarity / quality / definition.  CCTV shall be kept in an unedited format for a period of 30 days, any DVD's subsequently produced shall be in a format so it can be played back on a standard personal computer or standard DVD player. Any person left in charge of the premises must be trained in the use of any such CCTV equipment and able to produce / download / burn CCTV images upon request by a person from a responsible authority. CCTV shall be maintained on a regular basis and kept in good working order.

(6) That risk assessments be in place including fire and health and safety policy.

(7) That all visitors to the club be advised by public notices and verbally staff of club rules including “no drinks outside” policy.

(8) That the levels of music be monitored.

(9) That secondary glazing be fitted to reduce noise emitted.

(10) That children be allowed onto the premises only at private functions or when authorised by management.

(11) That all children must be accompanied by an adult.

(12) That a permanent fixed sound limiting device must be fitted in accordance with the approval of the Environmental Health Department. The device shall be designed so that all the power sockets used for amplified music and speech are controlled by the device.  The equipment should be tamper evident.

(13) That noise levels from all music and amplified speech at the premises must be controlled by the noise limiting device.

(14) That the sound limiting device equipment must be tested at least weekly before any events take place to ensure that it is working correctly. Any defects to the system must be reported immediately to the Environmental Health Department. If a defect becomes apparent outside of normal office hours, then the Council’s emergency control room should be notified on 0161 474 5555.

(15) That the external areas of the Club must be monitored for noise likely to cause a public nuisance when events are taking place. This must be recorded in a log book which must be kept on site and available for inspection by the Environmental Health Officer.

(16) That should existing acoustic measures be insufficient to control noise emanating from the building, then an acoustic consultant shall be employed by the Moor Club to assess any further acoustic mitigation measures that can be achieved.