A hotel’s plans to change its alcohol licence have been met with opposition by Merseyside Police after “disorder” outside the premises between rival fans.
An application has been made to Liverpool Council by Patrick Duggan for a variation of its premises licence at Epstein’s Guest House on Anfield Road. The applicant is seeking to add an area to the front of the venue, as well as a marquee, garden room and patio at the rear.
Currently, the guest house is able to play music, open to guests and sell alcohol until midnight daily. The new plans want to play recorded music until 8am while sales of alcohol would terminate outside the front of the premises at 10pm.
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However, concerns have been raised by ward councillors, residents and the police regarding the impact on the community. In a written submission to the city’s licensing authority, Merseyside Police said on August 3, Liverpool Council contacted the business advising not to use its front car park as a beer garden.
Two days later, a response was received saying Epstein’s would seek temporary event notices until September. In October, the front area was in use again, despite not being permitted.
On February 13 this year, the police said they visited the location and external bars were in use without a licence. At this time, Merseyside Police said “disorder occurred between rival fans including the patrons of this premises.”
Despite meetings between the business, police and representatives to vary the licence, just last month, Liverpool Council officials found the external area being used as a bar without an applicable licence. Concluding its submission, the force said: “Merseyside Police have serious concerns over the management of this premises.
“The unlawful use of the outside of this area and failing to take action when advice has been given by responsible authorities.
"As a result, the force does not support the application."
Further objections have been made by ward councillors Billy Marrat and Lena Simic. The Labour pair said they felt granting of the variation would “result in excessive noise from these premises” and have a “negative effect on the nearby residents and those living in the surrounding area.”
The councillors added: “We also have concerns in how the clients who use these premises disperse after they have finished their drinks or it is shutting up time.” They suggested drinkers had used alley gates near the premises as “toilets” and had “serious reservations” in regards to the marquee and portable bars.
One person who objected to the council supported this submission, saying they had seen “12 men in 10 minutes urinating up against the bins.” Another resident who wrote to the council, ahead of a decision on the variation being made on Thursday April 20, said they “no longer feel safe going into the street during the evening” since the hotel opened its doors.
A further respondent said however there had been a “professional approach” to any issues raised at Epstein’s from the management and supported the application. The plans will be considered by the three-person licensing and gambling sub-committee at Liverpool Town Hall later this month.
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