A licencing hearing will address concerns over The Tipsy Doorman’s request to serve alcohol until 4 AM daily.
The bar had a license before, held by a company that subsequently closed. Now, Stuart Espin seeks a new license, requesting permission to sell alcohol from 10 AM to 4 AM daily, along with the allowance for music and dancing.
Approval is also needed for late-night food service. The council is scheduled to make a decision this Friday. However, both police and council staff have expressed concerns, suggesting it could potentially lead to problems.
Police have stated that the area already faces challenges, including crime and antisocial behavior. They believe that extending alcohol sales hours could exacerbate these existing issues. The police are advocating for a 2 AM closing time.
The environmental health manager shares similar concerns, while not opposing the license in principle, they too recommend a 2 AM closing time. Previous noise complaints have been received from residents.
Council rules generally discourage late hours, typically rejecting licenses that extend past 2 AM, particularly in non-residential areas. The bar’s proposal does incorporate some safeguards.
These measures include annual staff training, the presence of door supervisors, and the use of CCTV with incident logs. They also pledge to respect the neighboring community. The previous license permitted comparable hours.