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Licensing Committee - Wednesday, 28th October, 2026 10.00 am
October 28, 2026 at 10:00 am Licensing Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council met on Wednesday 28 October 2026, making decisions on street trading, taxi licences, and film screenings. Key decisions included amending the Street Trader policy to extend a presumption against street trading to the beachfront area and revoking a taxi driver's licence.
Beachfront Street Trading
The Committee resolved to note that permission to occupy the roadway would not be granted for any new street traders at the beachfront pending the progress of the Beach Masterplan. Furthermore, the Street Trader policy was amended to extend the presumption against street trading to the beachfront area, with the exception of renewal applications. This decision aims to ensure that the management of street traders is considered as part of the broader Beach Masterplan to safeguard their long-term integration in an appropriate manner.
Taxi Driver Licence Revocation
A taxi driver's licence was revoked with immediate effect. This decision was made on the grounds that the licence holder was deemed not to be a fit and proper person.
Taxi Driver Licence Review
The Committee resolved that a formal warning be issued to taxi driver Satheesh Nirupakaran, to remain on his record for two years. Any further complaints received regarding his conduct will be referred to the Committee for consideration. This followed three complaints within a month, including allegations of refusing hires to wheelchair passengers and using offensive language towards a passenger. Mr Nirupakaran had previously appeared before the Committee in May 2026 regarding a traffic offence that resulted in nine points on his DVLA licence.
Street Trader Licence Refusal
The Committee resolved to refuse the application for a renewal of a Street Trader Licence for Shake n Burger Shack on the Beach Esplanade Pavement. The applicant will be offered the opportunity for one application to be submitted at no further charge and use an exemption for the presumption against street trading at the Beach front, if the applicant can find a suitable location to make a subsequent application in a different location. The refusal was based on objections from the Roads department and Environmental Health. The Roads department cited recent changes in legislation regarding footway parking and improvement works that had altered the conditions on site, making the location inappropriate for a street trader.
Short Term Let Application Deferred
Consideration of the Short Term Let licence application for Sandra Gardener at 50 Charleston Way was deferred. This was to allow for necessary upgrading works to be completed. Following the completion of these works, the Chief Officer - Housing will be able to grant or refuse the licence under delegated powers. The application had received four objections from local residents concerned about potential noise, parking issues, and the impact on the quiet residential nature of the cul-de-sac, particularly given its proximity to a children's play park.
Skin Piercing and Tattoo Licence Deferred
The application for a Skin Piercing and Tattoo Licence for Natalia Nedoluzhko at Pimp My Hair, 1 Claremont Street, was deferred. The deferral is until 23 November 2026, to allow time for the Licensing Team to receive a certificate of compliance from the applicant. After this, the Chief Officer - Governance can grant or refuse the licence under delegated powers.
Film Screenings Approved
The Committee agreed to a 15 rating for the screening of the film Fragments of Ice.
The Committee also agreed to a 15 rating for the screening of Self Preserving Nudity,
Rave,
and Untitled.
These screenings are scheduled to take place at the Aberdeen Art Gallery and The Lemon Tree in November 2026.
Public Entertainment Licences Granted
The Committee were advised that the licences for PureGym at Kittybrewster Retail Park, Bedford Road, and PureGym at the H1 Building, Hill of Rubislaw, Anderson Drive, had been granted under delegated powers.
Request for Exemption from Street Knowledge Test Refused
The Committee resolved to refuse the request for an exemption from the Street Knowledge Test for Tolulope Oluwasanya. The test is a requirement for all applicants for a Taxi Driver or Private Hire Car Driver Licence to ensure they have sufficient knowledge of the city's roads and landmarks.
Other Business
The Committee resolved to approve the minute of the previous meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee and to note the minute of the meeting of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group. They also noted the Committee Business Planner, including the reasons for the removal of an item regarding Public Entertainment Licensing Resolution. There were no urgent business items, declarations of interest, deputations, or notices of motion. No referrals were received from other Council committees.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Beachfront Street Trading - CORS/26/232
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee decided to approve recommendations regarding beachfront street trading on 28 October 2026. Permission to occupy the roadway will not be granted for new street traders at the beachfront pending the progress of the Beach Masterplan. The Street Trader policy will be amended to extend the presumption against street trading to the beachfront area, with the exception of renewal applications.
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Request to Screen Unrated Film (Untitled) - Belmont Cinema
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council agreed to a 15 rating for the screening of the film "Untitled" on 28 October 2026. The committee approved the recommendation to allow the unrated film to be shown at Belmont Cinema.
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Request to Screen Unrated Film (Self Preserving Nudity) - Belmont Cinema
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee agreed to a 15 rating for the screening of the film "Self Preserving Nudity" on 28 October 2026. The committee approved the recommendation for the film's rating.
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Landlord Registration (Renewal)
Recommendations Approved -
Minute of Meeting of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group of 5 October 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee approved recommendations on 28/10/2026. The committee noted the minute of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group meeting of 5 October 2026.
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Public Entertainment Licence (Renewal) - PureGym, Kittybrewster Retail Park, Bedford Road
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council approved recommendations on 28/10/2026. The committee was advised that the Public Entertainment Licence for PureGym at Kittybrewster Retail Park had been granted under delegated powers.
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Notices of Motion
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee resolved that there were no notices of motion on 28/10/2026.
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Short Term Let (New Operator) - Sandra Gardener - 50 Charleston Way
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee decided to defer consideration of the application. The Chief Officer - Housing can grant or refuse the licence after necessary upgrading works are completed.
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Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee decided on 28/10/2026 to approve recommendations. No declarations of interest or transparency statements were intimated.
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Request to Screen Unrated Film (Rave) - Belmont Cinema
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee agreed to a 15 rating for the screening of the film Rave on 28 October 2026. The committee approved the recommendation to allow the unrated film to be shown.
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Request to Screen Unrated Film (Fragments of Ice) - Belmont Cinema
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council decided on 28/10/2026 to approve a 15 rating for the screening of the film "Fragments of Ice".
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Minute of Meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee of 9 October 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Sub Committee decided to take no further action on three taxi driver licence suspension requests on 9 October 2026. The committee resolved to approve the minute of this meeting on 28 October 2026.
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Request for Exemption from Policy - Street Knowledge Test - Tolulope Oluwasanya
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee refused the request for exemption from the Street Knowledge Test on 28/10/2026. The committee resolved to refuse the request for exemption from undertaking the Street Knowledge Test.
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Deputations
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee approved recommendations on 28/10/2026. There were no deputations.
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Urgent Business
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee resolved that there was no urgent business on 28 October 2026. The committee's recommendations were approved.
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Review of Taxi Driver and Operator Licence - Satheesh Nirupakaran
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee decided to issue a formal warning to the licence holder, Satheesh Nirupakaran, to remain on his record for two years. Any further complaints received would be referred to the Committee for consideration.
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Committee Business Planner
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council noted the reasons for removing item 4 from the planner and otherwise noted the planner on 28/10/2026.
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Referrals from Council, Committees or Sub Committees
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee resolved to approve recommendations on 28/10/2026. There were no referrals to consider.
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Exempt Business
Recommendations ApprovedAberdeen City Council's Licensing Committee decided to consider item 10.2, a Request for Suspension of a Taxi Driver Licence, with the press and public excluded. This decision was made on 28 October 2026.
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Street Trader Licence (Renewal) - Shake n Burger Shack - Beach Esplanade Pavement
Recommendations ApprovedThe Aberdeen City Licensing Committee decided to refuse the street trader licence for Shake n Burger Shack on 28/10/2026. The applicant was offered the opportunity for one further application at no charge and an exemption for the presumption against street trading at the Beach front if a suitable alternative location is found.
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Minute of Previous Meeting of 1 September 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee approved the minute of the previous meeting on 1 September 2026. The committee also approved a taxi fare tariff with a 5% increase for publication. Additionally, they approved amendments to the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licensing Policy and granted several licences for Houses of Multiple Occupation, Late Hours Catering, and Street Traders.
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Skin Piercing and Tattoo Licence (Grant) - Natalia Nedoluzhko (Pimp My Hair), 1 Claremont Street
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council decided on 28 October 2026 to defer consideration of the skin piercing and tattoo licence application. The Chief Officer - Governance can grant the licence if a certificate of compliance is received by 23 November 2026, otherwise the licence will be refused.
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Public Entertainment Licence (Renewal) - PureGym, Rubislaw, H1 Building, Hill of Rubislaw, Anderson Drive
Recommendations ApprovedThe Licensing Committee of Aberdeen City Council approved recommendations on 28/10/2026. The committee was advised that the licence had been granted under delegated powers.
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