Neighbours' complain of student 'menace' as new bar…

Neighbours' complain of student 'menace' as new bar bids to open in Shieldfield

A new bar and restaurant bidding to open in Shieldfield has pledged not to exacerbate the “menace” neighbours claim is being caused by students.

City councillors are set to rule on whether a new venue can open in a vacant unit on Warwick Street and were urged by locals to reject the scheme at a hearing on Thursday. The plans could see a bar open next to the Today’s Local store and serving drinks as late as midnight.

But neighbour Harry Allsop, speaking on behalf of three residents objecting to the scheme, pleaded with Newcastle City Council’s licensing sub-committee to deny the proposals a licence. He complained that Shieldfield’s large student population was often “a menace” to other residents and responsible for shouting into the early hours, urinating in the street, and rubbish being thrown into gardens.

Mr Allsop said: “I appreciate that there is a minimal amount of them [students] who will cause these problems, but just one or two is enough to disturb us significantly. Please do not pass this. It is in the middle of a residential area, it really does not need to have a boozer on the doorstep.”

The neighbours were particularly worried about proposed student nights being held on a Thursday at the venue, though it was promised that they would not involve cheap drinks promotions. Coun Rob Higgins, one of the committee’s three members, responded that many students are responsible and make a positive impact on the city, though he was sympathetic to residents’ concerns.

A new bar could open on Warwick Street (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

Licensing consultant David Wilson, speaking on behalf of applicant Khuram Pervez, said his client “does not wish to be a bad neighbour” and described the 130-capacity premises as a “community cafe, bar, restaurant” that would have a substantial food offering. Mr Wilson said: “These are not premises that people are going to travel a long way to go to. It is not a gastropub, it is not a Michelin starred restaurant, it is not in the city centre.

“Its clientele will be from the local community, whoever they happen to be. We recognise that there is a large student population in the area and we expect they will be a significant part of the clientele.”

He added: “To be successful it needs to retain a licence and it needs to be a good neighbour in order to retain the licence. There is no reason to do anything that would make life more difficult than it already is.”

Having initially requested a 2am closing time, the venue had revised its application after talks with Northumbria Police and requested to open until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday, plus on Thursday during university term time for student nights.

While the police agreed to withdraw their objections to the scheme, council environmental health chief Angela Wallis continued to oppose it on grounds of public nuisance. She asked that if the committee saw fit to grant a licence that they should also impose a stricter alcohol sales cut-off of 10.30pm and a closing time of 11pm every night to limit disruption.

Mr Wilson agreed said his client would be willing to have last orders half an hour before closing time, but that losing the midnight opening hour would not be welcomed. The council said it would issue a decision on the licence application within five working days.

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