Agenda and minutes

Council Kira Gabbert was appointed Chairman for the meeting.

Both Councillors Gabbert and Jack said they had several years ago visited Bridge Bar.

The Case for the Applicant:

The review concerned events arising on 13th November 2022, 18th December 2022, 26th February 2023 and 18th March 2023 and subsequent visits to the business. The Committee was addressed by Counsel appointed by the police, Ms Bruce-Smith. She introduced her presentation by presenting CCTV evidence.

The grounds for the review related to incidents of crime and disorder in the High Street and also visits to the premises showing a failure by the business to comply with licensing conditions. The Police felt there was a particular concern in terms of public safety in having an entrance onto the High Street. They also felt there was a particular problem in terms of the door staff engaged at the premises, who were part of the difficulties. The written submissions made on behalf of the business before the review downplayed the seriousness of the incident that had occurred on 13^th November 2022. A video seen on social media clearly showed the door supervisor using a knuckle-duster and not a vape, as claimed in the submissions.

The police were also concerned about a deliberate failure by the club to comply with conditions. The independent consultant, Mr Studd, advised that he had been informed that individuals who were regular customers and already had their details in the scanner, were not rescanned on entry. Not all of the CCTV cameras were working on 13^th November 2022 or 18^th March 2023 and no description of the fault was provided. By their own admission, three customers under the age of 21 were admitted in breach of conditions.

The police believed that revocation was the appropriate course for the Sub-Committee to take. If this was not agreed, then the Police asked for last entry time to be midnight and closing at 2am. In response to a question, the police said if that these hours were secured, a third party SIA accredited firm engaged to provide door staff and a change in management was effected, then they may reluctantly accept the imposition of conditions. However, they doubted that all of this would be possible with the current management and therefore asked for a revocation of the licence.

Submissions by the Responsible Authorities:

Mr Slaney, on behalf of the Licensing Authority, advised that the police from February 2023 had used condition 11 to restrict the entry time until midnight. The Licensing Authority had good relations with the business.

Mr White on behalf of the Public Health Nuisance Team confirmed that on 16^th November 2022, he attended the premises with the police and advice was given that an external SIA accredited company should be employed.

Both Mr Slaney and Mr White supported the review application by the police.

The Case for the Premises Licence Holder:

The premises licence holder was represented by Mr Philip Kolvin KC, who in advance of the hearing, had submitted additional documents comprising the witness statement of Philip Trump, a witness statement of Jason Orris, a witness statement of Grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.