The Licensing Hearing Panel (Licensing 2003 Act) Sub Committee met to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Boom Battle Bar at 36 & 36a St Andrews Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AR. The applicant, BBB UK Property Ltd, sought to extend hours for licensable activities, add 'Indoor Sporting Events' as a licensable activity and amend/remove several conditions on their license. The report pack included a recommendation for members to determine the application based on its merits, the statutory licensing objectives, Cambridge City Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the Cumulative Impact Assessment.

Boom Battle Bar Premises Licence Variation

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application from BBB UK Property Ltd to vary the premises licence for Boom Battle Bar, located at 36 & 36a St Andrews Street. The application, submitted on 2 June 2025, requests several changes to the existing licence.

Proposed Changes

The applicant sought to make the following changes:

• Extension of Hours: Extending the hours of licensable activities on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday:
  • Exhibiting films: 10:00 to 02:30
  • Recorded Music: 10:00 to 03:00
  • Indoor sporting events: 10:00 to 03:00
  • Late Night refreshment: 23:00 to 03:00
  • Supply of alcohol: 10:00 to 02:30
  • Opening hours: 08:00 to 03:00
• Addition of Licensable Activity: Adding 'Indoor Sporting Events' as a licensable activity:
  • Sunday to Wednesday: 10:00 to 00:30
  • Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 to 03:00
• Amendment/Removal of Conditions:
  1. Removal of Condition 16, which states:

No person will be allowed to play the axe throwing or similar games if they have consumed alcohol or illegal drugs/substances prior to playing the game, and no person playing these games will be allowed to consume alcohol or take illegal drugs/substances whilst playing these games. Where staff or door staff are unsure if the person is under the influence of alcohol, then that person will be breathalysed, using a calibrated breathalyser.

2.  Modification of Condition 24 regarding door supervisors: The current condition requires a minimum of two SIA[^2] registered door supervisors daily from 21:00 until close. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays before Bank Holidays, New Year's Eve and Boxing Night, a further two SIA registered door supervisors are required from 21:00 until all customers have dispersed. The applicant proposed amending this to:

On Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, all Sundays preceding a Bank Holiday, New Years' Eve and Boxing night a minimum of 4 SIA registered door supervisors will be employed from 21:00hrs until all customers have safely dispersed from the vicinity of the premises. At all times the Premises Licence Holder shall risk assess the requirement to employ additional door supervisors in such numbers and at such times as deemed necessary. This risk assessment will take into consideration information and advice provided by the local Police. A copy of this risk assessment will be made available to the Police and Licensing Authority on request.

3.  Amendment to Condition 18 regarding beer pong: The current condition states:

Should beer pong be played in these premises then polycarbonate drinking vessels must be used, and non-alcohol drinks will only be used for the game. For clarification no alcohol will be used for this game.

The applicant sought to remove the prohibition on alcohol use, while maintaining the requirement for polycarbonate or metal drinking vessels. 4. Amendment to Condition 43 regarding the age of patrons: The current condition states:

After 21:00 hours persons under the age of 18 years of age will not be allowed on the premises

The applicant proposed amending this to:

After 21:00 hours persons under the age of 18 years of age will not be allowed in the part of the premises occupied and trading as Boom Battle Bar. After 21:00 hours persons under the age of 18 years of age will be allowed in the part of the premises occupied and trading as Escape Hunt (shown edged in blue the plan attached to the application) but only if supervised by a responsible adult.

Representations and Consultations

The report pack indicated that one representation was received from an 'Other Person'. No representations were received from Responsible Authorities, but conditions were agreed with Cambridgeshire Constabulary. The applicant also attended a meeting with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Environmental Health to address discrepancies in opening times and activities.

Licensing Objectives and Cumulative Impact

The report pack noted that the premises is located within a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), requiring the applicant to demonstrate that the requested variations would not negatively impact the area. The sub-committee was reminded that when making any decision, it must have regard to its Statement of Licensing Policy, the Cumulative Impact Assessment and additionally the statutory guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003¹. The sub-committee was advised to consider the application with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm

Appendices

The report pack included several appendices:

• Application Form
• Amended Application Form
• Ground Floor Plans
• First Floor Plans
• Second Floor Plans
• Current Licence
• Representations
• Cambridgeshire Constabulary agreed conditions