Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Moores be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no items of urgent business received.

Councillor Garry declared a personal interest by virtue of her husband’s employment at Greater Manchester Police.

Pursuant to Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003, the purpose of this report is to ask Members to consider an application for a ‘Summary Review’ of the Premises Licence in respect of the Vibez 924, 101 Yorkshire Street, Oldham, OL1 3SY; and, in light of the application made by Greater Manchester Police, and any further information that is made available to Members either at, or before, this hearing, determine whether the imposition of interim steps is necessary.

Consideration was given to a report of the Principal Licensing Officer that asked Members to consider an application for a ‘Summary Review’ of the Premises Licence in respect of the Vibez 924, 101 Yorkshire Street, Oldham, OL1 3SY and determine whether the imposition of interim steps was necessary.

Members gave consideration to the application, submitted by Police Constable Tony Farrell of Greater Manchester Police which outlined the reasons given for the summary review. It was the view of Greater Manchester Police that the premises were associated with serious crime and/or disorder.

Greater Manchester Police’s representatives attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

Members asked for and received clarification on the various incidents that had occurred. Members were informed that in the early hours of Friday 18^th January 2019, a disturbance had occurred on Horsedge St involving patrons of Vibez 924 nightclub. Two males were seen on Council CCTV to come out from the entrance to the club, joined by a third male moments later. An exchange of words occurred before the third male assaulted one of the other males, and in retaliation was chased up Yorkshire Street disappearing out of sight. A short while later the first two males returned to the club and the door staff allowed them to re-enter. The third male returned soon after with two meat cleavers, the CCTV from within the venue showed him walk up the stairs and a verbal exchange was seen between him, a member of the door staff and the two males he had been fighting with. All three males then left the premises and a short while later the police arrived and recovered one of the meat cleavers from inside the club.

Members were informed that at 03:38 hours, a second incident occurred which involved a male being ejected from the venue. The dispute continued outside which escalated into violence in the middle of the public highway whereby a female was hit by a vehicle being driven erratically by a male as a direct result of the disturbance that was ongoing. It was noted that the female did not receive any serious injuries.

Members noted the view of the Officer was that the door staff should have taken more positive action from the outset and refused entry to all persons involved in the original disorder. That way it would have been reasonable to suggest that the incident involving the vehicle would not have happened as it was the same male involved in both incidents. It was stated that the premises had a history of disorder, and whilst in recent months the Premises Licence Holder had been working with the Police to try and improve matters, it was clear by the latest incident that those attempts were failing.

The representative of the premises addressed the Panel and informed them that the premises had been operating for several years and during that time, the Premises Licence Holder had always co-operated with the Police. There had been ongoing talks in respect of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.