Maloney's licence extension refused by St Helens Council

At a sub-licensing committee meeting at St Helens Town Hall on Wednesday, April 25, a representative from Maloney's on Ormskirk Street explained that the bar applied for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for April 27 and April 28.

Pointing to a rise in violent and alcohol-related crime, particularly between the hours of 3 and 5am, the police objected to the application and said it is placing greater emphasis on reviewing such applications.

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Maloney's opened in February after a makeover from Kandy Klub (Image: St Helens Star)
After launching in February following a makeover and name change from Kandy Klub, Maloney's has already used a handful of its 'additional' days when it can open later and serve alcohol until 5am.

Premises manager Demi Murphy explained that the club applied to extend their opening hours and alcohol licence for a televised boxing match last weekend, and said that staff didn't think an extra hour would make that much of a difference as police stay in the town centre until around 4am.

Ms Murphy also explained that while there have been "incidents" at the club, these have always been under control and dealt with appropriately.

The club applied to extend its opening hours for a televised boxing match (Image: St Helens Star)
Emphasising that the police are "not singling out" Maloney's, Licensing Constable Nicola Ireland said that Merseyside Police will be placing "greater emphasis" on reviewing all TENs, adding that it is "highly likely" that any request for extended licencing hours will be objected to unless there are exceptional circumstances.

On Westfield Street, Bar Forty Four has also had four TENS objected to by the police, with the bar also appealing against the council's decision to reject a permanent licencing extension until 5am. 

Constable Ireland said that the police's clampdown is due to a reported rise in violent and alcohol-related crime in St Helens' town centre, and it is the police's view that bars often apply for TENs so they can operate beyond their usual licencing hours.

At the sub-licencing committee meeting, Constable Ireland said: "There are a group of premises within the night time economy area of St Helens who routinely apply for Temporary Event Notices to extend their licencing hours beyond their current permitted licencing hours.

"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 application was refused due to a reported rise in violent crimes in the town centre (Image: St Helens Star)
Speaking on behalf of St Helens' Chief Inspector John Smith, Mrs Ireland continued: "The police have identified that [extended licensng hours], what is now becoming routine practice, is having a direct effect on anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder in the town centre.

"The key issues arise late on Friday and Saturday nights and early into the following morning.

"Many different offences are committed during this time and most involve alcohol as a contributory 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 nightclub's application was refused (Image: St Helens Star)
Over the past twelve months, the Chief Inspector highlighted that a high number of violent and alcohol-related crimes have been committed in St Helens town centre's night time economy, and that the hours of 3am and 5am are a "peak period of violent offending".

While these incidents have not all been related to Maloney's, the police pointed out that there have been several reports of incidents at the Ormskirk Street venue, including allegations of violence and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The police further explained that resources are limited in the early hours and added that they believe that 3am is late enough for nightlife in the town centre.

Constable Ireland added: "Licencing is regularly exceeded by several bars that use their 12 special days [of extended licencing].

"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."

Following the submission of evidence from both sides, the council's sub-licencing committee decided that the event should not take place and a Counter Notice was given to refuse the Temporary Event Notice.