News: Applicants set out Rotherham Irish bar plans in face of opposition
Plans for an Irish bar in a popular area of Rotherham have come up against opposition regarding late night noise and disturbance.
Rothbiz reported in July that a licencing application had been made that would bring an old Gregg's back to life.
British bakery chain, Greggs, has expanded at The Tanyard in Wickersley, taking on the former Peter Cusworth Butcher's shop, to create a bakery and cafe. With the new store now open, this meant that 236 Bawtry Road was left empty.
Jaxx Irish Bar Limited has applied for the sale by retail of alcohol and the provision of late night refreshment, plus the performance of live music and any playing of recorded music.
Documents show that the opening hours requested are Monday to Wednesday 16:00 to 22:30, Thursday 16:00 to 23:00, Friday 14:00 to 00:00, Saturday 12:00 to 00:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 22:00.
Rotherham Council operates a policy that affects the number of new or varied alcohol licences being granted in the Wickersley area which has been designated as a Cumulative Impact Zone.
Objections have been received from residents, the Council's Licensing Authority, Wickersley Parish Council and local councillors.
Applicant Joshua White explained to a recent meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee: "We completely understand the Cumulative Impact Zone, we are Wickersley residents ourselves, so we understand what goes on over the road and what can happen. This is why we are trying to bring a completely fresh idea to the village. Something new, exciting, to create opportunities for locals in terms of job opportunities and live music with opportunities for individuals to showcase their talents, and give them that platform.
"This isn't going to be a case of a rave until 9 o'clock in a morning. We've considered all shops on The Tanyard, were aren't looking to change the dynamic of The Tanyard. We've considered opening times in terms of other bars and restaurants across the road who open a lot later.
"We've taken into consideration, after speaking with near on all of the shops on The Tanyard, to see what we can do to benefit them. It only seems to be the opticians [at 38 Bawtry Road] that are against it. We believe that we are going to bring business into them guys.
"You've got two restaurants [on The Tanyard] - people want to go out for something to eat and then see a bit of entertainment. You've got Shiraz [pizza at 242 Bawtry Road] who is open to 1 o'clock in the morning, I believe, on Fridays and Saturdays - a lot later than us.
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"I understand the argument of late night noise but with Shiraz being open until 1 o'clock in the morning, most people from the other side of the street, leaving The Masons or Olive Lounge are going to get food after their night out. They are already congregating around that area anyway. We are shutting no later than midnight.
"Inside our premises we are having a full soundproof installation done where we are going to minimize noise as much as possible with doors to be closed at all times so that nobody can hear that noise outside. Our live music is not until later in an evening after the shops have closed business for the day. Recorded music is very minimal background noise and during the day we are looking at putting on tea and coffee mornings. We are not just an out-an-out bar where everybody is coming to consume alcohol.
"Regarding complaints about the outside seating area, our thought process is that no alcohol is to be consumed outside of the premises and they'll be door staff on Fridays and Saturdays to enforce this. The area has been designed strictly for smoking and vaping - a contained area a bit like Elif has and Gregg's currently has.
"We have looked at the opposition and taken into consideration opening hours so that we are not participating in late night antics and antisocial behaviour. All of the bars over the road will stay open, we will close at midnight and they are staying open until 2 o'clock.
"As Wickerlsey residents, we want that feel good factor back. It doesn't seem to be those regulars who would go out after work on a Friday anymore. There's nothing aimed for them. We've got a certain target audience. So for example, we've got a couple of acts supporting live music, Frank Sinatra impersonators, performers with an acoustic guitar - it's not all loud, heavy nighttime music. We are going for a completely different feel to bring those regulars back out and be able to get out and give them that environment to be able to enjoy themselves again."
The venue would have a capacity of 35 which the applicant says could be controlled and much more manageable.
Alan Pogorzelec, Licensing Manager at Rotherham Council, explained how the Cumulative Impact Policy means that there is a presumption that the application would be refused and the onus is on the applicant to show that the premises are suitable for the area, and to determine how the council's licencing objectives would not be undermined. Usually that is reversed and the onus is on the authority to show how those objectives would be undermined.
Pogorzelec told the meeting that it was authority's view that the applicant has failed to address matters relating to noise, and preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance. He said: "The intention of the policy is to make it clear that Wickersley is not like a town centre where the infrastructure and resources from the police, ambulance service, other partners are much more focused. That's not the case in Wickersley - the resources available are generally lower than those available in a regular town centre."
He added that other licenced premises nearby have over 20 conditions attached to meet with policy requirements which means that they cannot operate solely as a "vertical drinking" bar and instead be food-led restaurants.
Pogorzelec said: "What we are talking about here is a bar, for people to drink, and that is very different. The conditions could not be adopted by Mr White because his business model is very different.
"This isn't a desire for me to stop the development and Mr White's dreams and long term plans for business, but what we have to be extremely mindful of is that this policy was introduced for a reason - the impact that premises were having on people in Wickersley, some of whom are clearly concerned about this application."
A number of representations were heard at the meeting before members went into a private session to decide on the licence application. A decision is expected to be published in due course.
Images: Rightmove
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Rothbiz reported in July that a licencing application had been made that would bring an old Gregg's back to life.
British bakery chain, Greggs, has expanded at The Tanyard in Wickersley, taking on the former Peter Cusworth Butcher's shop, to create a bakery and cafe. With the new store now open, this meant that 236 Bawtry Road was left empty.
Jaxx Irish Bar Limited has applied for the sale by retail of alcohol and the provision of late night refreshment, plus the performance of live music and any playing of recorded music.
Documents show that the opening hours requested are Monday to Wednesday 16:00 to 22:30, Thursday 16:00 to 23:00, Friday 14:00 to 00:00, Saturday 12:00 to 00:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 22:00.
Rotherham Council operates a policy that affects the number of new or varied alcohol licences being granted in the Wickersley area which has been designated as a Cumulative Impact Zone.
Objections have been received from residents, the Council's Licensing Authority, Wickersley Parish Council and local councillors.
Applicant Joshua White explained to a recent meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee: "We completely understand the Cumulative Impact Zone, we are Wickersley residents ourselves, so we understand what goes on over the road and what can happen. This is why we are trying to bring a completely fresh idea to the village. Something new, exciting, to create opportunities for locals in terms of job opportunities and live music with opportunities for individuals to showcase their talents, and give them that platform.
"This isn't going to be a case of a rave until 9 o'clock in a morning. We've considered all shops on The Tanyard, were aren't looking to change the dynamic of The Tanyard. We've considered opening times in terms of other bars and restaurants across the road who open a lot later.
"We've taken into consideration, after speaking with near on all of the shops on The Tanyard, to see what we can do to benefit them. It only seems to be the opticians [at 38 Bawtry Road] that are against it. We believe that we are going to bring business into them guys.
"You've got two restaurants [on The Tanyard] - people want to go out for something to eat and then see a bit of entertainment. You've got Shiraz [pizza at 242 Bawtry Road] who is open to 1 o'clock in the morning, I believe, on Fridays and Saturdays - a lot later than us.
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"I understand the argument of late night noise but with Shiraz being open until 1 o'clock in the morning, most people from the other side of the street, leaving The Masons or Olive Lounge are going to get food after their night out. They are already congregating around that area anyway. We are shutting no later than midnight.
"Inside our premises we are having a full soundproof installation done where we are going to minimize noise as much as possible with doors to be closed at all times so that nobody can hear that noise outside. Our live music is not until later in an evening after the shops have closed business for the day. Recorded music is very minimal background noise and during the day we are looking at putting on tea and coffee mornings. We are not just an out-an-out bar where everybody is coming to consume alcohol.
"Regarding complaints about the outside seating area, our thought process is that no alcohol is to be consumed outside of the premises and they'll be door staff on Fridays and Saturdays to enforce this. The area has been designed strictly for smoking and vaping - a contained area a bit like Elif has and Gregg's currently has.
"We have looked at the opposition and taken into consideration opening hours so that we are not participating in late night antics and antisocial behaviour. All of the bars over the road will stay open, we will close at midnight and they are staying open until 2 o'clock.
"As Wickerlsey residents, we want that feel good factor back. It doesn't seem to be those regulars who would go out after work on a Friday anymore. There's nothing aimed for them. We've got a certain target audience. So for example, we've got a couple of acts supporting live music, Frank Sinatra impersonators, performers with an acoustic guitar - it's not all loud, heavy nighttime music. We are going for a completely different feel to bring those regulars back out and be able to get out and give them that environment to be able to enjoy themselves again."
The venue would have a capacity of 35 which the applicant says could be controlled and much more manageable.
Pogorzelec told the meeting that it was authority's view that the applicant has failed to address matters relating to noise, and preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance. He said: "The intention of the policy is to make it clear that Wickersley is not like a town centre where the infrastructure and resources from the police, ambulance service, other partners are much more focused. That's not the case in Wickersley - the resources available are generally lower than those available in a regular town centre."
He added that other licenced premises nearby have over 20 conditions attached to meet with policy requirements which means that they cannot operate solely as a "vertical drinking" bar and instead be food-led restaurants.
Pogorzelec said: "What we are talking about here is a bar, for people to drink, and that is very different. The conditions could not be adopted by Mr White because his business model is very different.
"This isn't a desire for me to stop the development and Mr White's dreams and long term plans for business, but what we have to be extremely mindful of is that this policy was introduced for a reason - the impact that premises were having on people in Wickersley, some of whom are clearly concerned about this application."
A number of representations were heard at the meeting before members went into a private session to decide on the licence application. A decision is expected to be published in due course.
Images: Rightmove
