Agenda item

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 19th September 2018, the issue of a cut-price drinks promotion being advertised by Fourteen Belfast was raised, which had been brought to the attention of a number of the Members by concerned parents.

Whilst it had been acknowledged that liquor licensing was the responsibility of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Committee had previously, as part of the Entertainments Licensing process, requested that a number of licensees agree to adhere to the Pubs of Ulster’s voluntary code of practice on irresponsible drinks promotions.   

            The Building Control Manager informed the Members that Constable Donna Tolan, who was representing the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was in attendance and that the applicant, Mr Patrick Fegan was also present, should the Committee require additional information.

            The Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to hear from Constable Tolan and she was welcomed to the meeting.

            A Member informed Constable Tolan that the Committee previously had some concerns regarding the drink promotions that were advertised by Fourteen Tomb Street which had caused the Members to receive numerous complaints by concerned parents and that the Committee had requested that the licensee be invited to attend the meeting at which the renewal of his Entertainments Licence was being considered.

            Constable Tolan informed the Committee that the PSNI was not objecting to the application and that inspections had been carried out since September 2018, when the drink promotions commenced, and that there had been no breaches.  She reported that she had discussed the promotions with the applicant and had requested that terms and conditions were applied to the drinks promotions and advertised with the phrase ‘terms and conditions apply’ for clarity around what was actually being offered in the promotion.  She informed the Committee that the applicant had agreed to revise the drinks promotions to include the aforementioned request.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding recorded incidents that had been reported in connection with Fourteen Tomb Street and how that amount compared with other similar licenced premises within Belfast, Constable Tolan informed the Committee that similar venues in Belfast had around the same number of recorded incidents and highlighted that, over the past three years, the number of recorded incidents concerning Fourteen Tomb Street had reduced considerably. 

            The Chairperson thanked Constable Tolan for her attendance and the Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to hear from Mr. Fegan and he was welcomed to the meeting.

            Mr. Fegan informed the Committee that his promotions were run in a controlled environment, that his door staff were all medically trained and that all of his staff were Drinkaware trained.  He added that anyone who presented at the premises in an intoxicated state was not permitted entry.  He further informed Committee that his customers were not exploiting the drink promotions to consume copious amounts of alcohol but rather that the majority of them were students with limited funds and that the promotion was catering to a student budget.

            A Member asked Mr. Fegan if he was willing to give assurances that, if his licence were to be renewed, he would undertake to adhere to the Pubs of Ulster Voluntary Code of Practice in relation to drinks promotions.  Mr. Fegan informed the Committee that, since he had acquired Fourteen Tomb Street, he had been working with Pubs of Ulster for guidance on drinks promotions to ensure that he was adhering to their Code of Practice.  Mr. Fegan gave the Members assurance that he would continue to adhere to the Pubs of Ulster Voluntary Code of Practice.

            Mr. Fegan added that all staff at Fourteen Tomb Street had been Drinkaware trained and that the training formed part of the induction process for all new staff.

            The Chairperson thanked Mr. Fegan for his attendance and he retired from the table.

            The Committee agreed to the renewal of the 7-Day Annual Indoor and Outdoor Entertainments Licences with the following special condition:

·        The Applicant adheres to the Responsible Retailing Code NI in relation to drinks promotions.