A new bar set to open next to a children’s home has been licensed to serve alcohol despite an “extraordinarily large” number of objections from neighbours and even police officers
The Hub in Haslam Street has been granted a premises licence to serve alcohol every day from 10am and stay open until 10.30pm on weekends.
Licensee Natalie Cummings said she wants to “put something positive into the community” – but residents raised concerns about the location of the bar.
Moorside councillor Sandra Walmsley said she received many objections from residents in the area relating to the premises licence application concerning excessive noise, litter, congestion, parking, anti-social behaviour and crime.
PC Gregg Scott raised concerns but said he had reached an agreement with the applicant ahead of a licencing hearing panel meeting last week at which the premises licence was granted.
He said: “When the application first came in, there were some concerns with regards to the location and the persons running the premises.
“Due to information I’ve received from other departments, I’m not able to discuss intelligence matters.
“My concerns at this moment in time have been addressed somewhat by Natalie.”
Following talks with police, Miss Cummings has agreed not to serve alcohol until 10am, even though the premises will be open from 7am every day.
She also agreed to a compromise of closing at 9.30pm on Sunday to Thursday and at 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
PC Scott said he also came to an agreement with Miss Cummings about only having one member of staff on the door despite initially recommending two.
But Cllr Walsmsley urged the licensing hearing panel to reject the application.
She said: “As a local councillor, I support local businesses in the ward to thrive. I think it’s important that we have small independent businesses to help the local economy.
“But when residents contact me, it’s incumbent upon me as their elected official to represent those views.
“On this licensing application, it’s fair to say that I had an “extraordinarily” large number of people get in touch with me who had concerns and issues.”
Cllr Walmsley and PC Scott also raised concerns about the bar’s proximity to a young people’s care home – but the applicant highlighted a letter of support for the premises licence application written by the children’s home.
Miss Cummings, who previously worked as bar staff at Brambles in Bury town centre, asked the panel to trust her judgement as a licensee.
She said: “As a licensee and a designated premises supervisor (DPS), I trust my judgement to ensure that there’s no serving of underage children.
“You’ve got to trust in my decision as a DPS and a licence holder that I take full responsibility for that and ensure my staff do that also.”
The licensing hearing panel, which is made up of three councillors, agreed to grant the premises licence following the virtual meeting on Wednesday July 1.
