The Plastic Revolution
Nottingham City Council successfully defended an appeal of its Licensing Sub-Committee review of the premises licence for Revolution Vodka Bar in Nottingham, the review having been brought by Nottinghamshire Police as a result of a number of injuries caused by bottles and glasses on the premises.
The magistrates, sitting in their appellant capacity, upheld the decision of the Licensing Authority to require the use of polycarbonate drinking vessels rather than toughened glass, and increased the suspension of the premises licence from 14 to 28 days. Revolution sought to challenge the magistrates’ decision by way of judicial review: permission and interim relief were refused; a renewal of the application is awaiting a hearing date.
The decision is an important one to authorities seeking to achieve a safer night time economy by encouraging the use of polycarbonate drinking vessels in high-risk venues. It is significant here that the appellant’s argument that the use of toughened glass was adequate protection did not succeed.
Philip Kolvin QC represented Nottingham City Council and Rory Clarke represented Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police.