Agenda item

4.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report to consider an application to vary a Premises Licence made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003, in respect of the premises known as Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield S3 8RY.

4.2

Present at the meeting were Richard Saward, Business Services Manager, Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust (the Applicant), John Rannigan, David Buttle and Lee Gallagher (Objectors), Andy Ruston (Licensing Officer), Marie-Claire Frankie (Solicitor to the Sub-Committee) and Jennie Skiba (Democratic Services).

4.3

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

4.4

Andy Ruston presented the report to the Sub-Committee and it was noted that representations had been received from local residents and were attached at Appendix ‘C’ to the report.

4.5

John Rannigan stated that the Kelham Island Museum was located in a residential area and that the basis of his objections focused on the potential for public nuisance, particularly with regard to associated noise levels with customers leaving the premises in the early hours of the morning. 

4.6

David Buttle indicated that there were some residents living in close proximity, particularly the occupants of apartments whose balconies overlooked the narrow cobbled road which formed the access to and egress from the Museum who could be affected, and felt that the proposed extensive changes to the licence will lead to an unacceptable level of noise and disruption as events held at the Museum could attract up to 150 people, seven days per week.

4.7

Lee Gallagher stated that there was already a great deal of traffic noise, litter and anti-social behaviour from venues in the area, although these were not licensed until 2.00 a.m.

4.8

Richard Saward stated that the premises will continue to operate predominantly as an educational museum and will not change the main historical and educational nature of its use.  He further stated that any licensable activities will remain ancillary to the main purpose and any revenue generated will be used to support and develop the main purpose of the Museum.

4.9

Richard Saward commented that the application was to licence the Upper Gallery.  He added that the Gallery was, at present, unlicensed and there is no type of heating to that part of the Museum.  The Gallery was to be offered as an exclusive package for weddings, but due to the fact that there is no heating, it can only operate during the warmer months of the year.  Also, weddings would only be held on Saturdays and not on weekdays.  He added that the type of revellers who booked the Museum for weddings, were looking for an alternative type of event and, as yet, no-one had asked for a late night licence.

4.10

Mr. Saward stated that the one of the main reasons for the application to vary the premises licence was that the licence would facilitate corporate, social and private functions without the necessity for, and additional costs incurred when, applying for a temporary event notice.

4.11

In response to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr. Saward stated that during the last 12 months, less than 20 events had been held at the Museum, with maybe one or two staying open until 11.30 p.m.  He also stated that there are no plans to provide heating in the Upper Gallery due to financial constraints and that the Museum always employs temporary door staff for events held.

4.12

Mr. Saward made an official request to amend the application so that licensable activities will cease at 23:30 hours Sunday to Thursday and cease at 01:00 hours on Friday and Saturdays and for the premises to be open to the public for an additional 30 minutes on all days.

4.13

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees involved in the hearing be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in Paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

4.14

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

4.15

At this stage in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

4.16

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee agrees to grant the variation to the premises licence in respect of Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street, Sheffield S3 8RY, subject to the amended application, operating schedule and modified conditions now made as follows:-

(a)       the use of Security Industries Association (SIA) registered door staff will be risk assessed on an event by event basis and records of the risk assessment kept and made available for inspection to Officers; and

(b)       off sales be permitted in relation to the museum shop area and café and as per Condition 5 in sealed containers.

(The full reasons for the Sub-Committee’s decision and the operating conditions will be included in the written Notice of Determination).