Council urged to reject latest late night booze plan (From Stourbridge News)

Council urged to reject latest late night booze plan

5:08pm Tuesday 27th October 2009

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PROSPECTIVE parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge Margot James is calling on Dudley Council to reject proposals for another late night boozer in the town.

The owners of The Old Bank Buildings on the corner of High Street and Coventry Street have applied for a licence to serve alcohol until 1.30am and play music until 2am - Monday to Saturday.

However, the town is subject to a Cumulative Impact Policy - designed to keep the number of late night venues in Stourbridge under control.

And residents living near the Old Bank fear there will be yet another boozer, serving beer until the early hours, on their doorsteps.

Margot James (Conservative candidate) told the News: “Residents were hoping for a high quality restaurant at the Old Bank, but there is no mention of food on the licence application, so fears about the establishment becoming yet another late night bar are widespread.

“Several residents of Coventry Street and Lower High Street have shared their concerns about this and the potential for noise and nuisance following a late licence, so I have objected to the sale of alcohol past normal hours.”

She said police resources would be stretched too far if another late night bar was allowed to open at the opposite end of the High Street, adding: “We have more than enough such establishments on Stourbridge High Street - hence the Cumulative Impact Policy which I trust will justify a rejection of this application by the council.”

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho has also raised concerns about the application, adding: “The granting of this license would go against the current Cumulative Impact Policy for Stourbridge town centre in relation to crime and disorder, placing extra strain on public services like the police and paramedics.

“Dudley Council has the power to limit the effects of late night venues. I hope, for once, it uses them.”

Dudley South licensing officer Mick Boyd said police would be objecting to the late night aspect of the application, but not the granting of a liquor licence in general.

A spokesman for Dudley Council said the application covers the ground and lower ground floors and does not include late night refreshments, so food could not be served after 11pm.

He added: "Representations can be made on the application until November 2 and if appropriate, a licensing committee hearing will then be held within 20 days of that date."

Anyone wishing to object can write to Dudley Council or fill in the form in the licensing section on the council’s website dudley.gov.uk by November 2.

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