The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene to consider a premises licence application for Arc Bristol, and a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for the Kuumba Project. The sub-committee, composed of Councillor Fabian Breckels, Councillor Fi Hance, and Councillor Andrew Varney, Lord Mayor, will also follow a pre-set procedure for the hearing. The meeting is open to the public, but attendees may be required to sign in and display a visitor pass.

Application for Premises Licence: Arc Bristol

The sub-committee will consider an application for a premises licence for Arc Bristol, located at 27 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2HG. Arc Bristol LTD submitted the application, which was received on 5 August 2025.

The application requests permission to conduct the following licensable activities from 11:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday:

• Films
• Live Music
• Recorded Music

The proposed hours of operation are Monday to Sunday, 11:00 to 23:00, with extended hours until 04:00 on New Year's Eve.

The report pack includes a draft licence with proposed conditions, which would be issued under the Licensing Act 2003 if the application is granted.

Several parties have submitted relevant representations regarding the application, including:

• Neighbourhood Enforcement Pollution Control
• Elisabeth O'Kelly
• Anne Street
• Sue Luger
• Rowland Dye
• David Peck
• Alex Riley
• Mark Griffiths
• Lola Sinclair
• Simon Pang
• Katie Macnamara
• Hannah Mcinery
• Paula Brown
• Rex Baird
• Alexa Ledecky
• Paul Sinclair
• Camilla Hall
• Elena Sandford-Hawkin
• Daryl Hembrough
• Alexander Dover
• Lucia Thompson
• Mike Harris
• James Dewey
• Paul Wilcox
• Eleanor Knight
• Aumaira Hussain
• Monnie Pyne
• Amina Din
• Kate Jacko
• Eduaits Narovcenko
• Big Red Square LTD
• Bristol Sober Spaces

The sub-committee is being asked to consider the representations and take steps to promote the licensing objectives¹. These steps could include:

• Granting the licence subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule.
• Excluding specific licensable activities from the licence's scope.
• Rejecting the application.

The report mentions the City Centre Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) policy, stating that Avon and Somerset Constabulary provided evidence that the central area of Bristol is at saturation point . The policy applies to new licence applications or significant variations of existing licences in the area, especially for premises that primarily sell alcohol for consumption on the premises. The report states that the main focus of the assessment is likely to be on alcohol led establishments and premises that keep customers in the area at times when the promotion of the licensing objectives is most challenging .

Temporary Event Notice: Kuumba Project

The sub-committee will also consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) ² submitted for the Kuumba Project, located at 20 - 22 Hepburn Road, Bristol, BS2 8UD. The TEN was submitted on 26 September 2025, for an event commencing on 11 October 2025 and ending on 12 October 2025, running from 23:00 to 13:00.

The licensable activities listed in the notice are:

• Sale of alcohol on the premises
• Late Night Refreshment

The Licensing Authority has received objections to the TEN.

Procedure for the Hearing

The sub-committee will follow a pre-determined procedure for the hearing, as detailed in the report pack. This includes:

• Appointment of Chair: The sub-committee will select a chair for the meeting.
• Identification of Participants: All members of the sub-committee, parties, and their representatives will identify themselves.
• Withdrawal of Representations: Parties may withdraw their representations up to 24 hours before the hearing.
• Additional Material: The sub-committee will decide whether to consider any additional documentary or other information produced by a party.
• Points of Clarification: Parties will be asked to provide further information on points raised by the Licensing Authority.
• Opening Addresses: The applicant and other parties may make opening statements.
• Questions: The sub-committee, the Licensing Manager, and the legal advisor may ask questions of the parties.
• Closing Speeches: Each party may make a closing statement.

The procedure also outlines the rights of parties at the hearing, including the right to attend, be represented, and address the authority.