Concerns about an increase in violent and alcohol-related crimes in St Helens town centre led to the refusal of an extended alcohol licence for a BAR.
During the sub-licensing committee meeting on Wednesday, 25 April, at St Helens Town Hall, a representative from Maloney’s on Ormskirk Street gave an explanation of the bar’s application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for the dates of 27 and 28 April.
The police opposed the application, citing an increase in violent and alcohol-related crimes, especially between three and five in the morning. They also stated that they are giving these applications more consideration.
Maloney’s, which changed its name from Kandy Klub to Maloney’s and opened in February, has already utilised a few of its “extra” days to remain open later and serve alcohol until five in the morning.
Demi Murphy, the premises manager, stated that the club requested an extension of their opening hours and alcohol licence in anticipation of a boxing match that was broadcast on television last weekend. She added that staff members didn’t believe the extra hour would have a significant impact because police remain in the town centre until approximately 4am.
While there have been “incidents” at the club, Ms. Murphy added, they have always been under control and handled properly.
Licencing Constable Nicola Ireland stated that Merseyside Police will be giving “greater emphasis” to reviewing all TENs, while stressing that they are “not singling out” Maloney’s. She also stated that it is “highly likely” that any request for extended licencing hours will be denied unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Police have also objected to four TENS at Bar Forty Four on Westfield Street. The bar has also filed an appeal against the council’s decision to deny a permanent licence extension until five in the morning.
According to Constable Ireland, the reason behind the police crackdown is because there has been an increase in violent and alcohol-related crimes in St Helens’ town centre. The police believe that bars frequently apply for TENs in order to operate outside of their regular licencing hours.
“A group of premises within the night time economy area of St Helens routinely apply for Temporary Event Notices to extend their licencing hours beyond their current permitted licencing hours,” stated Constable Ireland during the sub-licensing committee meeting.
“This practice has meant that between them, bars have converted what should be a 3am finishing time to routinely be a 5am finishing time every weekend.”
“The police have identified that [extended licensng hours], what is now becoming routine practice, is having a direct effect on anti-social behaviour, crime, and disorder in the town centre,” Mrs. Ireland continued, speaking on behalf of St. Helens Chief Inspector John Smith.
“Late on Friday and Saturday nights and early the next morning, the main problems surface.
During this time, a wide range of offences are committed, the majority of which have alcohol as a contributing factor.
“The later these premises are open, the more people can drink, the more intoxicated they become, their decisions become poorer and the number of offences rise.”
The Chief Inspector noted that during the previous 12 months, a significant number of violent and alcohol-related crimes have been committed in the nighttime economy of St Helens town centre, with the hours between 3 and 5 am being a “peak period of violent offending”.
The police noted that there have been multiple reports of incidents at the Ormskirk Street venue, including claims of violence and inebriated and disorderly behaviour, even though not all of these have been connected to Maloney’s.
The police went on to say that they thought 3 a.m. was a late enough hour for nightlife in the town centre, but resources are scarce in the early hours of the day.
“Licencing is regularly exceeded by several bars that use their 12 special days [of extended licencing],” Constable Ireland continued.
“Unless there are exceptional circumstances, enough is enough and due to the levels of crime and disorder in the town centre beyond 3am, then now is enough.”
The council’s sub-licensing committee determined that the event should not go forward after hearing testimony from both sides, and a counter-notice was issued to reject the temporary event notice.
