The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel of Manchester Council met on Friday 12 June 2026 to consider two Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for premises in the Piccadilly ward. Both notices had received objections from Greater Manchester Police and, in one case, the Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team.

Temporary Event Notice for Red Light Bar, 2 Little David Street, Manchester, M1 3GA

The panel was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Red Light Bar, located at 2 Little David Street, Manchester, M1 3GA. The notice, submitted by premises user Deana Ferguson, proposed a street party on the courtyard of Little David Street from 3pm to 10pm on 27 August 2026, followed by a party inside the bar until 2am. The event was described as a Gay Pride street party with a capacity of 250 people, a small gazebo with a DJ, and security staff to monitor numbers.

An objection notice was received from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on the grounds of public safety. GMP raised concerns about the proximity of the event to the contemporaneous Manchester City Pride event, specifically regarding the barrier at the entrance/exit to the TEN area and the ability of emergency services to access the location. GMP sought clarification on security issues and recommended serving a counter notice if these could not be resolved. The report pack indicated that Deana Ferguson had provided further details regarding security measures, including the use of steel barriers provided by Kampus, which are described as easy to move and manned by SIA staff.

Temporary Event Notice for Velvet, 2 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE

The panel was also scheduled to consider a TEN for Velvet, located at 2 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE. The premises user, Kim Krohn, submitted the notice for the August Bank Holiday weekend, proposing outside entertainment via DJs and two paid bars serving alcohol and soft drinks. The event was planned to run from 28 to 31 August 2026, with attendance capped at 200 people.

Objection notices were received from both the Licensing and Out of Hours Compliance Team (LOOH) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The LOOH team objected on the grounds that all four licensing objectives were likely to be undermined. Their concerns included a lack of prior consultation with the new Pride event organisers, Manchester Village Pride CIC, and Manchester City Council, as well as insufficient detail on how the event would be managed, including security, crowd control, noise management, and a dispersal plan. They also cited a previous incident during Pride 2025 where alcohol sales continued after being instructed to cease.

GMP's objection focused on the proposed operating times for the TEN, which they stated were outside the pre-agreed event times for Manchester Pride. They also raised concerns about the lack of confirmation regarding SIA registered security staff, CCTV, and the use of plastic drinking vessels. GMP indicated they would withdraw their objection if the premises user confirmed amendments to the timings and the use of plastic vessels. The report pack noted that the TEN was for activities on Manchester City Council land, and no street trading application had been received.

The report pack for both items outlined the legal considerations, including the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, and referenced the Secretary of State's Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 and Manchester City Council's Statement of Licensing Policy. The panel was asked to consider the objection notices and determine whether to issue a counter notice or impose conditions on the TENs.