Fermanagh and Omagh District Council issues festive entertainment safety plea  

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has issued an appeal to owners of entertainment venues throughout the district and members of the public, to work responsibly together to ensure the safety of all revellers during the festive season.

Venue operators are being asked to ensure that all functions held on their premises comply with the public safety regulations with regard to overcrowding and current Covid 19 requirements with regard to entertainment venues. The Council’s Regulatory Services, Licensing and Environmental Health teams will be offering practical advice to venues on Covid 19 guidance, safety and crowd control.

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said:

“The Council does not want to inhibit people’s enjoyment of the Christmas season. However, I am mindful that Covid is still prevalent in our community and we must all follow the necessary guidance to ensure that we mitigate against the spread of the virus.

It is important that owners and operators of entertainment venues adhere to the regulations and uphold their obligation to ensure the health and safety of all patrons visiting their premises not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

I would also urge patrons to play their part in ensuring that everyone attending venues have a safe and enjoyable festive season.”

Premises issued with an entertainment licence by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, must comply with regulations relating to the safety of the premises and their patrons. Owners are asked to ensure that regular maintenance checks are carried out on fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire alarms and other safety features.

Owners and Managers are reminded that they should not exceed the occupancy numbers attached to their Entertainment Licence. As is customary at this time of year, additional in-performance inspections will be carried out on all major venues, to ensure that exit routes remain free from obstruction, emergency lighting is in good working order and that all other safety precautions are adhered to.

Members of the public should follow a few simple guidelines when they go out on the town over the festive season.

When selecting your place of entertainment, do it with safety and comfort in mind. When you enter an entertainment premises the first thing you should check is the exit signs and exit routes. If fire exits are obstructed, and if members of the public feel that the premises are overcrowded, they should contact management and report the matter to the Council’s Regulatory Services, licensing team.

The public should also be considerate of local residents when going to and from their favourite night spot. Any likely noise nuisance or antisocial behaviour can result in objections being lodged against places of entertainment.

The Council would also encourage owners of premises, that have a drinks licence, to continue to use their influence in combating underage drinking on their premises over the festive season.

Patrons and businesses should ensure that current Covid guidance and legislative requirements are followed at all times.

The Council would like to take this opportunity to thank owners and operators of entertainment venues across the district for their co-operation throughout the year and looks forward to working with them over the festive period.

For further information, please contact the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Regulatory Services Department by telephone on 0300 303 1777 or by email at licensing@fermanaghomagh.com