Entertainment licence application deferred

Councillors took the decision to defer the application for the entertainment licence at the Bridge Bar and Grill after new information, which had not been previously made available to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, was shared in the chamber at the March meeting of the local authority.

Objections to the application were sent to the council from the PSNI, the Bellevue Arms and The Thunderdome.

Detailing the objections, a council officer said: “There is a contravention of liquor licence requirements in that the premises are currently licensed as a restaurant however they operate like a public house. The application for the entertainment licence is being made by Mr Patrick Moore, brother of Mr John Moore. As he is not the licensee of the premises, a submission is made that he is not entitled to make the entertainment licence application.

“Concern is raised in respect of an application for 200 persons in respect of occupancy. Reports of disorder or fights at and within the vicinity of the premises. There is no entertainment licence in force for the premises and entertainment is provided and regularly continues to 1am.”

After hearing from PSNI Inspector Gourley, Thunderdome owner Frank McNeill and the applicant, Patrick Moore, Ald Tom Campbell addressed the chamber. He said: “There are matters raised by the inspector which I feel may be worthy of further investigation. In view of what the inspector has said, I would prefer before a final decision is taken that our officers had the opportunity to meet with the police and share whatever relevant information there is in relation to this application.”

This was supported by Ald Mark Cosgrove, who proposed the deferral saying: “The prudent thing to do, so we make the right decision, would be to defer the matter.”

This was seconded by Cllr Phillip Brett.