• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • Vouchers
  • Categories
    • Business
  • More
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
The GRand York York

Bar in court twice for ‘ridiculously loud’ noise wants to expand – but neighbours fight plans

Macumba Lounge and Bar on Coffee Yard. Photograph: YorkMix
Wednesday 28 March, 2018 @ 6.22 pm Business, Food & drink YorkMix
Share via...

A York city centre bar which has twice been found guilty of noise nuisance is seeking permission to expand.

The plans are being fought tooth and nail by neighbours – amid fears of an increase in anti-social behaviour and potential damage to a Grade II listed building.

Macumba Lounge & Bar is found on Coffee Yard, next to the restored medieval townhouse Barley Hall.

Here is its controversial story so far…

Fined for playing ‘some of the loudest music I have ever heard’

In February last year Macumba’s then owner Hayati Kucukkoylu, 50, of Boltby Road, York, was ordered to pay £1,400 by magistrates for causing a noise nuisance.

The bar ignored an abatement notice served after a noise patrol officer registered ‘some of the loudest music I have ever heard in someone’s home’.

Macumba Bar in Coffee Yard, York
Popular nightspot… Macumba

In court again over noise nuisance

Hayati Kucukkoylu was back in court on Tuesday (March 27) for again breaching the noise abatement order.

Following new complaints, noise patrol officers visited the bar’s neighbours between 1am and 1.30am and heard music loud enough to keep nearby residents awake.

The mitigation put forward by Mr Kucukkoylu was that he is no longer involved in the business.

The magistrates sentenced him to six months conditional discharge, full costs of £1,159.43 and a court surcharge of £20.

YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix Vouchers #ad

Macumba’s courtyard plans

Hayati Kucukkoylu is no longer involved in the business. But Mitat Kucukkoylu still is.

He has applied for planning permission to expand Macumba, which is also listed under another name, Kuja Lounge.

The planning application asks City of York Council permission to do two things:

  1. to allow a change of use from cafe/restaurant (use class A3) to mixed use cafe/restaurant and drinking establishment (use class A3/A4)
  2. to install a free standing canopy over the licensed outdoor area.

North Yorkshire Police designing out crime officer Richard Ball says the first of these “appears to be a retrospective change of use application to bring it in line with its premises licence”.

Under the plan, both the restaurant and bar would be open from 8am to 2.30am.

In a statement to planners, the bar owners say:

The use of this premises is compatible with the neighbouring predominantly restaurant/ retail/ public house uses of which have already been granted planning permission of change of use and 2.30am closing times, and the premises is appropriately controlled to ensure that nearby residential amenity is not unduly affected.

But Barley Hall’s owners say ‘no’

Close neighbours… Macumba and Barley Hall

Macumba’s hopes to install the free standing canopy look set to be dashed whatever planners decide.

York Archaeological Trust own Barley Hall – and the whole of the Coffee Yard courtyard.

In a submission to the council, Gill Gimes from the trust says it has not granted the bar permission for “use of the courtyard area” or to install permanent fixtures and fittings there.

She adds:

For the avoidance of doubt, this part of the application is not deliverable without our consent, which we withhold.

Fears for the historic hall

The trust also objects to the bar’s plans to open later and change its use. Barley Hall is a family and schools-focused attraction, writes Mrs Gimes:

“The noise generated by customers and their general behaviour dissuades visitors from coming and is detrimental to the enjoyment of those attending events and tours.”

More than that

We are also concerned about damage to the listed building caused by customers leaving the premises, particularly to the wooden exterior staircase to the building which is used by bar customers as a smoking space, having had such issues in the past.

Crime officer Richard Hall states there have been 67 crimes and 36 anti-social behaviour incidents within a 50m radius of the bar in the year since March 1 2017.

The courtyard is owned by York Archaeological Trust

New shops planned for Coffee Yard – and the owner objects

Kathryn Vint ‘strongly objects’ to Macumba’s plans.

She owns 1A Coffee Yard and is ‘spending a huge amount of money’ turning the derelict property into two shops and a flat.

Mrs Vint says they have already endured anti-social behaviour from Macumba – and not just the ‘ridiculously loud’ noise.

Our courtyard is often filled with loo rolls, empty glass bottles, cigarette butts etc that drunk people have thrown over the wall and we often need to clear empty bottles and litter from the door steps.

We also recently had damage to the door window of our property and have noticed the doorways have been used as urinals.

‘No-go’ area for families

Another neighbour has also objected – fearing that the plans would have a detrimental impact on Barley Hall.

And Helen Hammond, who lives close by on Low Petergate, also says there are already too many bars in this part of York.

“The centre of York is rapidly becoming a ‘no-go’ area for the majority of family visitors and
residents due to the very large number of late-night drinking establishments already allowed in this part of the city, and the noisy and sometimes undesirable customers they attract,” she writes.

“We do not need another such establishment.”

Incidentally…

Mitat Kucukkoylu and Hayati Kucukkoylu may no longer work together at Macumba. But they are both directors of two restaurant companies, both with the same registered address, Holtby Manor, Stamford Bridge Road, Dunnington, York. They are:

  • Saray 50 Ltd
  • Cappadocia 50 Limited.
Related YorkMix stories

Restaurant to bring Indian street kitchen and craft beer to York

Popular York restaurant closes without warning

Spark:York to open in May with a brewery, shops, cafés and a performance space

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2022 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT