The Licensing & Gambling Sub-Committee are scheduled to meet to consider an application for a new premises licence. The sub-committee, which is made up of Councillors Christine Banks, Chair of Licensing and Gambling Committee and General Purposes Licensing Committee, Councillor Alan Gibbons, Leader of Liverpool Community Independents Group, and Councillor Pat Moloney, will hear arguments for and against the application. The sub-committee must make its decision with the aim of promoting the licensing objectives¹.

Mathew Street Records and Library Coffee House - Premises Licence Application

The sub-committee will consider an application by Thomas Waite for a premises licence for Mathew Street Records and Library Coffee House, located at 3-4 Cavern Walks Arcade, Mathew Street, Liverpool, 2.

According to the Public Reports Pack, the premises is described as:

A retail record shop with an in-house coffee shop. It is also mentioned in the application that - 'The supply of alcohol past 6pm will only take place when I do special events for live or recorded music, this will be occasional, usually the shop will close at 6pm'

The proposed hours for licensable activities are:

• Live Music indoors: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 23:00
• Recorded Music indoors: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 23:00
• Supply of alcohol on and off the premises Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 23:00
• Opening hours of the premises Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 23:00

During the consultation period, Mr Waite has agreed to a number of conditions with Merseyside Police:

• CCTV installation and maintenance
• Retention of CCTV recordings for 31 days, to be provided to police or local authority officers on request
• Staff training regarding the premises licence and their responsibilities
• Operation of a Challenge 25 policy²
• Maintenance of an incident log
• Operation of a refusals system
• Placement of 'leave quietly' signs at all exits
• Zero tolerance of drugs and a drug policy in force
• Closure of windows and doors when amplified musical entertainment is taking place after 20:00
• No unaccompanied children after 20:00
• No deliveries or waste removal between 23:00 and 07:00

The Public Reports Pack notes that representations have been received from other persons, and that copies of all relevant representations are published on the council's website.

One representation, included in the Public Reports Pack, objects to the application on the grounds of:

• Prevention of crime and disorder - citing concerns about loud music attracting drunks and homeless people, and the shops not being equipped with shutters.
• Public safety - raising concerns about having to call the police to remove nuisance people, and the potential for them to have knives.
• Prevention of public nuisance - raising concerns about loud music and alcohol attracting people, and the lack of security and cameras in the centre.
• Protection of children from harm - stating that the music and drinks are more suited to adult entertainment at night, not during the day when children are present.

Another representation, also included in the Public Reports Pack, objects to the application on the grounds of:

• Public safety - citing sparse security arrangements, no CCTV, and concerns about sound levels.
• Prevention of public nuisance - citing concerns about unmonitored alcohol consumption and drug abuse.
• Protection of children from harm - citing concerns about antisocial behaviour associated with alcohol and miscreants.

The Licensing Officer's comments in the Public Reports Pack note that the sub-committee is obliged to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives. The sub-committee must also have regard to the Licensing Act 2003, Government Guidance and the Authority's Licensing Policy.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors Christine Banks, Councillor Alan Gibbons and Councillor Pat Moloney will be asked to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda, as required by the Code of Conduct. They must also consider whether they are predetermined or have an actual or apparent bias on any item.