An application for a licence for a new nightclub in Carlisle has been given the thumbs up by Cumberland Council following a hearing held by the licensing sub-committee on Friday. 

Alien, which will be located in the former 'Truth' building on English Gate Plaza, has been granted a new premises licence with additional conditions.

The hearing was held after an agreement could not be reached between the applicant, Kimberley Birkett, and Accor Hotel Group, which owns the Ibis Hotel on Botchergate, regarding an operating schedule. 

The licensing application document submitted by Ms Birkett proposed that Alien would be open until 3am Sunday-Thursday and 4am on Friday and Saturday night. 

However, Accor requested that Alien close at 2.30am on Sunday-Thursday and 3.30am on Friday and Saturday. 

Accor did not object to the opening of a nightclub adjacent to the hotel but had concerns about the proposed opening hours and the subsequent impact that noise would have on its customers in the early hours of the morning. 

Management of the Botchergate Ibis expressed their confidence in the applicant's ability to manage Alien but also reiterated concerns regarding the noise.

Accor had also requested that nobody involved in the management of the former Truth nightclub is involved in Alien. 

The licensing committee has decided to approve Ms Birkett's proposed operating hours with the inclusion of Cumbria Constabulary's additional conditions, as well as additional modification of conditions in the operating schedule.

The opening hours, sale by retail of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late night refreshments will all have the following operating times: Monday to Thursday 11am-3am, Friday and Saturday 11am-4am, Sunday 11am-3am.

As Ms Birkett also hopes to hold an under-18s event every Sunday for young people aged 13-17 as well as to potentially host events in conjunction with a local karate group, conditions were set-out for this. 

These include no over-18s will be allowed onto the premises during these events except for parents and guardians of those attending and that no alcohol is to be served. 

The council has also stated that anybody involved in the day-to-day operation of Truth prior to the revocation of the premises licence, including directors and office holders of Truth Enterprises, should have no involvement in the operation or management of Alien.