Covid bar/nightclub Butlers Eastgate Street Gloucester

The request was successful.

vanessa Bowsher

Dear Gloucester City Council,

Ref: Covid restrictions Licenced properties
Please provide the following information:

In order for public houses to open what requirement/processes did Glos city council require from each public house. who investigated and cross checked their suitability, name the officer accountable and their job title.

It was exceptional clear that nightclubs could and still cannnot open a directive from the government. Please therefore explain fully, explaining rationale and all written correspondence why Butlers Venue Bar a nightclub in east gate street therefore was given approval to open.

When as the owner Justin Hudson quite openly in GL fully admitted in one report it was a nightclub, then back tracked and on a technicality because it does not charge any monies means it’s now not a nightclub. Where in the government policy does it state that this is a way of of a nightclub now not being a nightclub, Was/is there a loop hole to re evaluate nightclub status to pub status for this purpose, as presumably insurances covers would also need to change?Surely the paperwork held by Glos city council historically shows this venue to be a late night venue/nightclub And therefore this establishment should never of been allowed to open. Please provide all unredacted documentation to what the council hold on applications relating to Covid relating to Butlers since Feb 2020.

Who at the council gave authority for Butlers venue bar to open under the pub status as opposed to nightclub. Name and position status at council please.

Jennie Watkins has a conflict of interest being a good friend of the owner has she at all been involved in this process of endorsement in any way? As I understand she is an employee of the City council and therefore there would be an obvious conflict of interest.
Have Glos city council also approved any other nightclubs to change their status to a pub to avoid compliance with the government meaning nightclubs should still effectively be closed.

All emails/documentation involving butlers venue bar held or sent by any members of the general public or any member or employee of Glos City or Glos County Council. Which will need to include all complaints to date. Since March 2920 to present date.

As recently seen in GL videos/photos and that of what users of Butlers bar have posted on social media how in the middle of a public health pandemic and in the legitimate interests of the public can the council allow this establishment to open and remain open when no social distancing is being adhered to both outside and inside the venue not following the government distancing advice rule.

I understand that photos are also being taken of ever person who enters the venue, under GDPR how is that needed under track and trace isn’t that a violation of the data protection act.

Has the track and trace procedure being used at the venue being considered/ checked by any member of Glos city council. IS there risk or impact assessment paperwork held in relation to this venue if so unredacted copy please.

What are the good practice measures which have been signed of by city council into butlers procedures and risks and how they are being mitigated as I have said I want ever piece of reports/emails/sign offs/assessments including risk assessments unredacted in relation to all concerns/requirements both in relation to the governments requirements and any local requirements to any licenced establishments.

Any concerns that have been given in writing or verbally in relation to butlers venue bar in respect of public interest in this matter since March 2020.

Vanessa.

Yours faithfully,

vanessa Bowsher

FOI, Gloucester City Council

1 Attachment

Good morning,

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom Of Information (FOI)
request made to Gloucester City Council. 

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), we
anticipate to respond to your request for information within 20 working
days.  If this is not the case, we will be in touch to discuss an
extension to this deadline.

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Kind regards,

Hannah

 

Freedom of Information Officer

Democratic and Electoral Services             [email address]
Gloucester City Council                              01452 396204
Herbert Warehouse
The Docks
Gloucester, GL1 2EQ

References

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FOI, Gloucester City Council

1 Attachment

Thank you for your request for information received on 30 July 2020.

Your request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
(FOIA).

 

Please find below Gloucester City Council’s response to your request for
information. 

 

Q1. In order for public houses to open what requirement/processes did Glos city council require from each public house. who investigated and cross
checked their suitability, name the officer accountable and their job title.

A. Licensed premises were allowed to open from 4^th July 2020. Guidance was issued from Government on how best to open and to make sure that they were
Covid-19 compliant. City Centre Improvement Officers, Community Wellbeing Officers (Gloucester City Council) and Gloucestershire Constabulary provided
the links to this guidance through the LVA and any other licensed premises that requested it before the 4^th July. Some inspections took place before
opening at the request of the licensed premises. Officers from all three disciplines were on duty on the first night of opening. Officers have
continued to monitor compliance.

Q2. It was exceptional clear that nightclubs could and still cannnot open a directive from the government. Please therefore explain fully, explaining
rationale and all written correspondence why Butlers Venue Bar a nightclub in east gate street therefore was given approval to open.

A. Under the Licensing Act 2003 if a premises wants to sell alcohol and to provide regulated entertainment then a premises needs to apply for a
Premises Licence. There is no definition under the said Act that states a premises needs a nightclub, pub or bar licence. Under the Keeping workers and
customers safe during COVID-19 in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services guidance see below link :-

 

[1]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...

 

It gives the licensed premises guidance on how to stay safe for Customers, Staff and how to set up the premises in order to become Covid-19 compliant.
If I refer you to 4.5 Entertainment it states ‘that reconfiguring indoor entertainment spaces to ensure customers are seated rather than standing by
doing this For example repurposing dance floors for seating areas’, with this in mind then a premises will be able to open. Butlers reopened two weeks
after the 4^th July. Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Licensing Department visited the premises before they opened. Gloucestershire Constabulary in
liaison with City Centre Improvement Officers were satisfied that all the measures were in place under the above guidance for Butlers to open. Suitable
Risk Assessments were also viewed on the premises.

Q3. When as the owner Justin Hudson quite openly in GL fully admitted in one report it was a nightclub, then back tracked and on a technicality because
it does not charge any monies means it's now not a nightclub. Where in the government policy does it state that this is a way of of a nightclub now not
being a nightclub, Was/is there a loop hole to re evaluate nightclub status to pub status for this purpose, as presumably insurances covers would also
need to change?Surely the paperwork held by Glos city council historically shows this venue to be a late night venue/nightclub And therefore this
establishment should never of been allowed to open. Please provide all unredacted documentation to what the council hold on applications relating to
Covid relating to Butlers since Feb 2020.

A. No applications have been received from Butlers since Feb 2020 relating to Covid-19.

Q4. Who at the council gave authority for Butlers venue bar to open under the pub status as opposed to nightclub. Name and position status at council
please.

A. City Centre Improvement in liaison with Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Q5. Jennie Watkins has a conflict of interest being a good friend of the owner has she at all been involved in this process of endorsement in any way?

A. No.

 

Q6. As I understand she is an employee of the City council and therefore there would be an obvious conflict of interest.

A. Jennie Watkins is not an employee of Gloucester City Council.

Q7. Have Glos city council also approved any other nightclubs to change their status to a pub to avoid compliance with the government meaning
nightclubs should still effectively be closed.

A. As previously stated a premises that want to sell alcohol and have regulated entertainment have to apply for a premises licence under the Licensing
Act 2003. If under the above guidance they don't have DJ's, have tables and chairs on the dancefloor and are responsible, the Council would not have
any powers to stop them from trading.

 

 
 

 

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Kind Regards,

Hannah

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...