The owners of a pub in Nottingham have been granted a licence to serve alcohol until as late 2am despite some residents raising concerns over noise. William Middleton applied for the premises licence for the Roundhouse in Royal Standard Place, saying the pub would normally close at 11pm but the extra hours would allow flexibility.
The pub sits close to a number of residential apartment buildings in the city centre. The original licence for the pub was granted as far back as the early 1990s, according to the applicant, and this allowed the premises to open and sell alcohol until 2am.
However, it was understood the previous owner typically closed the doors around 11pm, residents said. Mr Middleton applied for the licence to allow the provision of films, indoor sporting events, live music and recorded music from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2am the following morning, and on Sundays from 11am until 2am.
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Alcohol will also be allowed until 2am but the final closing time will be 2.30am. The licence was discussed during a Nottingham City Council meeting today (December 19).
Explaining the conditions, Mr Middleton said: “It is a re-application of the existing previous licence which has always been respectfully upheld. We always managed the noise and use of the licence without any authorities having to come in with any case against us.
“I don’t see any relevance of the complaints put forward as there is no historical issue with the licence.” Despite the previous licence existing from the early 1990s, residents argued since the turn of the century apartment buildings have been built around the venue, meaning the licence should be altered to take these into consideration.
Shirley Fraser, who lives opposite the Roundhouse and attended the meeting, said: “We obviously don’t want the Roundhouse to close, it is a lovely venue. But I am particularly concerned about how you are going to ensure people leave the venue at two in the morning without slamming car doors, screaming and, as we have discovered, urinating in our doorways, which unfortunately has happened over the last couple of years even with the 11pm closing?”
Another resident, Rex Harvey, spoke to argue the pub did close at 11pm after stating he had visited the venue in the past. Mr Middleton replied: “With the licence objectives people are always trained to the highest standards to be vigilant for the best possible way to keep that down.
“Obviously for a person walking down the street and deciding to be anti-social and urinating and so forth, that is something that you would have to take up with other authorities. With ourselves we have two perfectly decent toilets which they can use before they leave, so I don’t really see how we would make any change to that really.”
Echoing residents’ concerns over the 2am closing time, Councillor Dave Liversidge (Lab) questioned why this was required. He said: “Is there a reason why you want it to be later than 11pm?”
The applicant said it gives the landlord the flexibility to open later, particularly for occasions such as New Year’s Eve. Mr Middleton said the pub would “obviously not” be open until 2am every night and added: “You have got to understand in the area itself you wouldn’t need that every night, Monday night you wouldn’t expect it to be open until two in the morning.”
He added there had been no incidents at the Roundhouse and said he would inform residents of events or functions which may continue on into the early hours of the morning. Caroline Stephens, who was present on behalf numerous residents in the Arena, which overlooks the premises, said: “The main concern that we have with the licence is allowing it as a late-night venue, because while there have been no major problems previously, that’s because previous management has always closed the Roundhouse between 10pm and 11pm.
“We are all supportive of the Roundhouse and want it to be successful, but the main issue and concern is allowing it as a late-night venue. This is not a student residential location, this is a very mixed residential location.”
Councillors decided to grant the application. Cllr Audrey Dinnall (Lab), the chairwoman of the panel, said: “The panel noted that the representations all expressed concern at the proposed hours of the opening applied for.
“The potential for noise nuisance from the premises and customers from the premises, some representations also expressed concern there may be some anti-social behaviour. Panel also noted the applicant agreed to let the residents’ association know in advance if a function with a late finish was planned.
“However, panel noted no specific incidents could be identified and linked to the previous operations of the premises and the application before panel is the same terms of the licence previously in place, with the same regulated entertainment and hours of operation. The panel noted the police should usually be the licensing authority’s main source of advice on matters relating to crime and disorder and licensing objectives, and that the police had agreed to conditions with the applicant and subsequently withdrew their representation.
“The application should be granted subject to the conditions with the police. Panel were, however, mindful that if problems were experienced, the responsible authorities and any other persons would be able to apply for a review of the licence.”
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