People living near a bar seeking to stay open until 4am have told of their “nightmare” experiences.
Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee heard an application from Liberte Bar on Brunswick Street to extend its main indoor area on the second floor of the building to 4am.
The venue, which also boasts a rooftop bar, was met with multiple objections which were heard during the three hour session at Liverpool Town Hall.
READ MORE: Motorbike bursts into flames and abandoned in middle of the road
Karl Barry, licensing consultant speaking on behalf of the applicant, said an offer had been made at the 11th hour by Liberte to review its proposals to close at 3am rather than 4am, which had been rejected by residents.
Cllr Nick Small, Central ward member, said the second floor location was causing problems with noise nuisance and revellers leaving the venue after closing time.
He added that no venues near Liberte were open beyond 2am and claimed the operators of the bar had spread disinformation about the application.
Cllr Small said the management had “no intention” of being good corporate citizens and said neighbours had the right to expect Liberte to behave in a “responsible way.”
Shiela Lane, chair of the nearby Beetham Plaza residents’ association, said she felt concerns raised with the management of Liberte had been dismissed and said the noise and trouble seen outside the bar was “not reasonable.”
Jennie Duff, a resident at Beetham Plaza, said her concerns began as far back as 2018 and said she had experienced “ongoing suffering” as a result of noise issues from Liberte that had impacted her mental health and her work as a train driver.
She said she had often been forced to stay with her parents elsewhere to escape the area and living near to the bar had “become an absolute nightmare”.
Liam Hincks, director at Liberte, rejected Ms Lane’s assertion that complaints were dismissed and said out of consideration for neighbours, the venue’s rooftop bar would close two hours earlier than is stipulated on its licence.
He added that the venue had acoustically treated windows that had been installed to mitigate noise issues.
Mr Barry said the bar’s owners would seek to be good neighbours and suggested meetings between the management and residents to resolve issues moving forward.
He added: “Let’s go forward in the spirit of cooperation” and called on all parties to find a “happy medium.”
Committee members will reach a decision on the application within seven days.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
