A new pub could be created in West Kirby, despite concerns it could become a noise nuisance in the area.
Michael Rice won his bid to open a pub at 92 Banks Road, after Wirral Council’s three-member Licensing Panel passed his application today.
However, the business has had a planning application for a change of use to a pub rejected.
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Therefore, it must apply again for planning permission before it can open.
If that permission is granted, the pub will be allowed to open seven days per week between 9am and 11pm, with alcohol not to be served after 10:30pm.
The outside area of the premises must be closed by 9pm.
Today’s licensing decision comes despite a petition with 47 signatures presented by Conservative councillor Alison Wright against the plan.
Six residents wrote to the panel protesting against the pub plan, expressing fears of anti-social behaviour and public nuisance.
A further six residents wrote in favour of the proposal.
Cllr Wright said the concern she had was the impact the noise from the premises could have on its neighbours.
She said the pub would be close to a densely populated residential area and noise needed to be properly managed.
As no noise assessment had been produced as part of the application, Cllr Wright said it was impossible to see what the impact of any potential noise at the premises might be.
There was some confusion at the committee, as the plan was said to be for a bistro/restaurant in documents attached to the application.
But Barry Holland, who was acting as Mr Rice’s solicitor, said an “old fashioned traditional public house” would provide something different in West Kirby.
While many venues in the town were based around food, the pub at 92 Banks Road would be focused on alcohol, with bar snacks such as crisps as the only food on offer.
To prevent problems with noise which could harm the lives of those living nearby, a condition had been agreed with Merseyside Police to prevent ‘vertical drinking’ at the premises.
This is understood to mean lots of people drinking heavily and walking around a venue creating lots of noise.
Mr Holland said the bar would not be like this, as it would not show football matches on TV and would not be catered towards large groups of young people in their twenties and thirties.
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Around 40 people would be able to fit inside the bar, with space for around 20 in the outdoor part of its premises.
Mr Rice said he wanted to create a nice, friendly place for people to go after work, for instance.
Local resident Alan Evans, who has been a business owner in West Kirby for more than 30 years, said he was in support of the application as it would attract people to the town and improve it.
