Agenda item

            The Building Control Manager informed the Committee that an application had been received from Silverpine Inns Limited for the variation of a Seven-day Annual Indoor Entertainments Licence in respect of the above-mentioned premises, based upon the Council’s standard conditions to provide music, singing, dancing or any other entertainment of a like kind.

            He reported that entertainment, in the form of a DJ or live band, was provided currently from Monday to Saturday till 1.00 a.m. and on a Sunday till midnight.  The company was now seeking to extend the hours of operation on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night till 2.00 a.m. the following morning, to enable it to compete with other venues which operated until that time and beyond.

            He confirmed that no written representation had been received in relation to the application and that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland had not objected. In such circumstances, it was normal practice for the Entertainments Licence to be issued under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.  However, given that the application related to the extension of the hours of entertainment beyond 1.00 a.m., it was being presented to the Committee for consideration.

            The Building Control Manager reported further that, since the Entertainments Licence had been renewed, officers of the Building Control Service had visited the premises on a number of occasions, whilst entertainment had been taking place and as part of the application process.  Those had indicated that all of the operational and management procedures were being implemented. However, the Council’s Environmental Protection Unit had, in the past year, received four complaints, three of which related to noise from patrons and the other to loud music emanating from the premises. Whilst no formal action had been taken on those occasions, the Unit had requested that, should the Committee be minded to approve the application, it would welcome appropriate measures being put in place to manage patron dispersal and keep noise levels to a minimum. With that in mind, he pointed out that the company was aware of the fact that its premises were located close to residential properties and had identified a number of measures which it would be prepared to implement, should its application be approved.

            At this point, several Members expressed concern that the company had failed to consult with local residents on its proposal to extend its hours of operation on some nights and stated that it would be beneficial to obtain further information on that issue and the measures which it was proposing to put in place for the management of the premises generally.  

            The Committee was informed that Mr. M. Boyle and Mr. J. Crawford, Directors of Silverpine Inns Limited, were in attendance and they were welcomed by the Chairperson.

            Mr. Crawford informed the Members that, upon acquiring The Cuckoo in April, the company had undertaken a number of actions to address noise breakout, such as installing additional sound proofing around, for example, windows and the stage area. In addition, it had, as part of its business planning process, conducted market research amongst patrons, which had highlighted, amongst other things, a desire for the premises to operate beyond 1.00 a.m. and that had given rise to this application. 

            In response to the issue which had been raised by Members around the absence of consultation with residents, he confirmed that the company had, until recently, been unaware of the existence in the area of a local residents’ association. He confirmed that, should the application be approved, the company would undertake to meet on a monthly basis with the association and with Council officers to discuss any issues which might be raised around the operation of the premises and would circulate a dedicated telephone number on which management could be contacted, should the need arise. It would undertake also to deploy two security/resident liaison personnel from the current security company on a length of the street outside the venue after closing time to minimise noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour, subject to the necessary approvals being obtained.

            Mr. Boyle and Mr. Crawford were thanked by the Chairperson and they retired from the table.

            After discussion, the Committee agreed to vary the Seven-Day Annual Indoor Entertainments Licence for The Cuckoo, 149 Lisburn Road, to enable entertainment to take place on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night till 2.00 a.m. the following morning and delegated authority to Council officers to draft appropriate conditions to be attached to the licence, in line with the undertakings which had been provided at the meeting by the company’s representative.

            The Committee agreed also that a report be submitted to a future meeting providing information on those premises which were licensed to provide entertainment beyond 1.00 a.m. and the Council’s powers to manage their impact upon local communities.