The Licensing Sub Committee met on 13 August 2025 and decided to grant a new premises licence for Fusion - Basement 17B Cliff Terrace Margate. The decision was made after considering documentation and representations from the applicant and other involved parties, with the sub-committee satisfied that the recommendations and conditions imposed by responsible authorities, as detailed in annexes 4 and 5 of the Public reports pack, adequately addressed public safety concerns. The decision aligns with Thanet District Council's licensing policy and objectives under the Licensing Act 2003¹.

New Premises Licence Granted for Fusion - Basement 17B Cliff Terrace Margate

The primary agenda item was the application for a new premises licence at Fusion - Basement 17B Cliff Terrace Margate. The Licensing Sub Committee, consisting of Councillor Alan Currie (Chair), Councillor Jim Driver, and Councillor Debra Owen-Hughes, reviewed the application, representations, and supporting documents before granting the licence.

The application for the new premises licence was submitted by Wayne Johnson of Fusion's Nightclub Limited, and included details of the premises, the licensable activities, and the steps proposed to promote the four licensing objectives². These objectives are:

• the prevention of crime and disorder
• public safety
• the prevention of public nuisance
• the protection of children from harm

The application specified the intention to carry on the licensable activities of recorded music and the supply of alcohol, with Ellis Jane Jobson named as the designated premises supervisor. The proposed hours of operation were:

• Monday: 18:00 - 00:30 (supply of alcohol) / 01:00 (close)
• Tuesday: 18:00 - 00:30 (supply of alcohol) / 01:00 (close)
• Thursday: 18:00 - 02:30 (supply of alcohol) / 03:00 (close)
• Friday: 18:00 - 02:30 (supply of alcohol) / 03:00 (close)
• Saturday: 18:00 - 02:30 (supply of alcohol) / 03:00 (close)

The applicant also detailed a number of steps to promote the four licensing objectives, including:

• Employing Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered door supervisors
• Operating a CCTV system
• Using plastic or toughened glasses
• Maintaining a drugs register
• Displaying crime prevention notices
• Implementing a Challenge 25 policy³
• Adopting a zero tolerance policy towards illegal drugs

Thanet District Council's Alison Brock, Technical Support Team Manager, introduced the item, and Alison Stocker, Senior Licensing Officer, was also present. Representatives from Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Rachel Allerton and Karen Clarke, and Kent Police, Gemma Martin, also attended.

The sub-committee agreed to grant the new licence at Fusion - Basement 17B Cliff Terrace Margate, as they were:

satisfied with the recommendations and conditions imposed by responsible authorities and referred to in Annex 4 and 5 to the report. The Licencing Sub Committee are satisfied that the public safety objective has been met.

The decision was made in line with Thanet District Council's Licensing policy and objectives within the Licensing Act 2003.

Representations

During the public consultation, the council received 20 representations objecting to the licence application, though a number of these were rejected as they covered issues already heard and dealt with at the previous hearing on 29 May 2025. One representation, from Patrick McDougall, who lives at 14 Cliff Terrace, cited concerns regarding the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. McDougall referenced multiple incidents filed with the police during the use of temporary event notices (TENs)⁴, and claimed that music from Fusion, at the 85dB level, had been heard in Bar Nothing during tests.

Conditions

Conditions were agreed with the Police Licensing Officer and TDC Senior Licensing Officer, and with the Environmental Health team. Kent Fire & Rescue Service agreed to a maximum person capacity of 100 people, and confirmed that all other issues raised at the previous hearing had been completed.

The conditions included:

• Staff training on responsible alcohol sales, prevention of underage sales, refusal of sales to drunk persons, and fire safety
• Maintenance of written reports and registers related to complaints, crimes, drug seizures, and CCTV faults
• Operation of a CCTV system
• Implementation of a zero tolerance policy towards illegal drugs
• Employment of SIA registered door staff
• Use of polycarbonate glasses during busy periods
• Maintenance of first aid equipment and trained first aiders
• Installation of fire safety signs and emergency lighting
• Litter control
• Display of signage requesting customers to respect local residents and keep noise to a minimum
• Enforcement of a Challenge 25 policy
• Maintenance of a register of refusals
• Restriction of access for children under 18 after 20:00

Environmental Health also stipulated that:

• Licensed hours be restricted
• No live music be permitted
• An acoustic report be submitted to Environmental Health for review and approval
• The licensee implement a site Noise Management Plan (NMP)
• Patrons temporarily leaving the premises not be permitted to take drinks or glass containers with them
• No more than 10 customers be permitted to remain outside to smoke at any one time
• The rear yard not be used by patrons
• The premises be de-regulated i.e. agreed with the Licensing Authority
• The construction of the licensed premise shall resist the transmission of airborne sound

Legal and Constitutional Considerations

The sub-committee was required to determine the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, ensuring that any decision promotes the four statutory licensing objectives. The sub-committee was also required to have due regard to the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the Secretary of State's Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. Furthermore, the sub-committee was reminded of its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010)⁵.