John KIng comments: It goes on... No music licence for an alcohol free shisha bar.
A Cardiff council spokeswoman said: "The use of Shisha pipes is not a licensable activity within the UK.. Shisha bars only need to be licensed if they are undertaking licensable activities such as providing late night refreshment, selling alcohol or providing regulated entertainment. If no licensable activities are taking place this does not preclude the need for appropriate planning consent where necessary.
The sub-committee – made up of Coun Robert Smith, Coun Geraldine Grant and Coun Derrick Morgan – rejected the application on grounds that it was in the saturation zone.
Satuation zones apply to licensed premises and are usually justified on grounds of alcohol consumption. So we have live music prevented here not because the main activity is licensable nor because of alcohol concerns. Interesting.
As the main purpose of the premises is not licensable - any live music is exempt from the need for additional entertainment licensing as incidental live music.