A new ‘high end’ cocktail bar is to open in Stockport town centre.
Town Bar, which promises a ‘relaxed lounge atmosphere’ for the more ‘discerning’ drinker will be based at Lower Hillgate, within the picturesque Underbanks area.
The council has granted the venue a premises licence, allowing it to open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight on Thursday and up to 11pm during the rest of the week.
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The proposal was a concern for some local residents, however, who raised objections over the potential for noise pollution and anti-social behaviour.
These were discussed at a remote meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee on Tuesday night.
Councillor Alana Vine said she was worried about the type of clientele the bar could attract at weekends, after other venues had kicked out.
“What we have found in the past, with other places with a late night licence is that, very often people will go there when the other pubs have closed down, they will go there for a last hour or so for drinking.” she said.
“We have to make sure that there is not a lot of hooliganism and over-drinking and trouble out on the street as we have had with other premises.”
The bar is situated next to an apartment block, and the panel - also including chair Coun Chris Gordon and Coun Dickie Davies - raised further concerns that residents could be disturbed by noise from people leaving the venue and loud music.
Dave Mansbridge, on behalf of Town Bar, said there was no intention to have a 'massive nightclub atmosphere' and confirmed it would be pitched as a 'high end cocktail bar'
He said: “Town bar will be a relaxed atmosphere for the more discerning clients to enjoy a relaxed drink. My client intends to build a loyal and regular customer base.”
Mr Mansbridge said the venue would operate a strict over-21s rule and also check IDs under the ‘Challenge 25’ policy.
“The music is background in nature, and that will be adding ambience to the bar,”he added.
“It’s not going to be intrusive in any way - it’s purely background music.”
He went on to tell the committee that prices would deter younger drinks and ‘bar-hoppers’, while boss Liz McMaster had a ‘wealth of experience’ in the industry.
Responding to fears drinkers could head to the bar once other venues had called time, Mr Mansbridge added: “We don’t envisage there being any change in the atmosphere or the clientele from day to evening, it will remain a relaxed lounge atmosphere.”
He also answered questions on how the bar would keep the noise down at the end of the night, explaining that customers would be asked ‘to be quiet and respectful' both verbally and by use of signage.
People would also be asked to stay inside the bar until their taxi arrives and those leaving on foot would be ‘chaperoned’ so as to cause minimal disturbance.
While no bouncers would be used at first, the situation would be ‘risk assessed’, with the bar able to call in SIA-accredited security with 24 hours notice, added Mr Mansbridge.
Following deliberations, Coun Gordon told the meeting the panel was ‘happy to grant’ the licence - but with two additional conditions.
These were for the bar to close at 1pm on Friday and Saturday nights - rather than the 2am close originally applied for - to bring it in line with other venues in the area.
And for the bar to ensure no more than six customers were smoking outside the venue at any one time.
The panel also asked to ‘strongly consider’ hiring permanent doorstaff, particularly if things were to ‘get out of hand’ at weekends.
Stockport council’s licensing, environment and safety sub-committee met remotely on Tuesday night (February 8).
