Statement of Licensing Policy

Thanet District Council

Public Safety

4.1  The Licensing Authority is committed to ensuring that the safety of any person visiting or working in licensed premises is not compromised.  To this end, applicants will be expected to demonstrate in their operating schedule that suitable and sufficient measures have been identified and will be implemented and maintained to ensure public safety, relevant to the individual style and characteristics of their premises and events.

4.2  When addressing the issue of public safety, it is expected that an applicant will have considered those factors that impact on the standards of public safety. These may include:

• The occupancy capacity of the premises where appropriate
• The age, design and layout of the premises, including means of escape in the event of fire
• The nature of the licensable activities to be provided, in particular the sale or supply of alcohol, and including wether those activities are of a temporary or permanent nature
• The hours of operation noting the difference between opening hours and the hours of licensable activities ("drinking up time").
• Customer profile (e.g. age, disability)
•  The use of special effects such as lasers, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, foam machines, etc.

The Licensing Authority may set capacity limits in consultation with the Fire Authority for the following premises:- premises where there is regulated entertainment such as nightclubs, cinemas, theatres as appropriate.

The Act repeals the Cinematograph (Safety) Regulations 1955 which contained a   significant number of regulations in respect of fire safety provision at cinemas.  Similar provisions will therefore be reproduced on licences for such premises.

4.3 The following examples of control measures are given to assist applicants and are considered to be amongst the most essential that applicants should take account of in their operating schedule, having regard to their particular type of premises and/or activities:

• Suitable and sufficient risk assessments
• Effective and responsible management of premises
• Provision of a sufficient number of people employed or engaged to secure the safety of the premises and patrons
• Appropriate instruction, training and supervision of those employed or engaged to secure the safety of the premises and patrons
• Adoption of best practice guidance
• Provision of effective CCTV in and around premises
• Provision of toughened or plastic glasses
• Implementation of crowd management measures
• Regular testing (and certification where appropriate) of procedures, appliances, systems etc. pertinent to safety

Next: Prevention of Public Nuisance

Back: Prevention of Crime and Disorder

• Statement of Licensing Policy
• Introduction
• Licences and planning permission
• Cumulative Impact
• Advice and guidance
• Consultation
• Reviews
• Enforcement 
• Licensing Objectives
• Prevention of Crime & Disorder
• Public Safety
• Prevention of Public Nuisance
• Protection of Children from harm
• Appendix 1 - Strategies
• Appendix 2 - Licensing Enforcement Policy
• Appendix 3 - Contact Details and Useful Addresses
• Appendix 4 - Delegation of Functions

E-mail: licensing@thanet.gov.uk

Tel:  01843 577413