A Tameside theatre has been granted a licence to serve alcohol later and allow people to take it away despite objections that it would increase ‘public nuisance’ and impact nearby mosques.
Hyde Festival Theatre had applied to the council to extend its premises licence to show films, indoor sporting events, boxing and wrestling entertainment and the supply of alcohol off the premises. It had also asked to increase the timings that performances and showings of films could take place until midnight seven days a week.
The theate had also applied to change the timing of its alcohol sales up to midnight every night, increasing to 1am on Saturdays, and allow patrons to takeaway alcohol when leaving at the end of the evening. There was also a possibility to show burlesque performances and and ‘adult pantomimes’, but the application stated these would be subject to age restrictions.
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In response to the proposal 11 objections, including one from a mosque committee, had been received by the town hall. The objections all raised the same issues about the theatre’s close proximity to the Hyde Jamia Mosque its direct neighbour the Hyde Islamic Resource Centre, and that it could increase anti-social behaviour.
One stated that: “There is currently evidence of public nuisance and we feel this would increase with a later opening to the mentioned building. Residents feel that a later opening hours for alcohol off sales will undermine the licensing objectives for public safety, public nuisance and could lead to an increase in crime and disorder.”
Another warned that the sale of alcohol on and off the premises could lead to a rise in ‘dangerous’ behaviour and ‘Islamophobia’.
“Residents are keen to make sure that Hyde does not turn into a village of bars, off licences and create the problems that naturally come with the sale of alcohol,” another objection stated.
The theatre’s chairman Daniel Oliver-Grant had outlined how it would tackle crime and disorder and public nuisance in its application.
“CCTV has been installed across the building,” he stated.
“In an evening patrons are requested to leave via our front stairwell only and are not permitted out of any other door in order to prevent any nuisance to neighbours. Only plastics are permitted in the auditorium to avoid any smashed glass and also for public and performers safety.”
The council’s licensing committee agreed to grant the application, subject to conditions.
These included that all sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises should be in ‘sealed containers only’, and could not be consumed on the premises.
“Any open vessels of alcohol purchased for consumption on the premises must be consumed on the premises and under no circumstances be taken off the premises,” the committee ruled.
The designated premises supervisor must also ensure that a member of staff collects all litter from the ‘curtilage of the premises’ before and at the conclusion of trading. A written log must be kept of the areas checked and made available to responsible authorities for inspection on request.
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