A York hotel’s plan to open its bar to residents until midnight will be ‘disastrous for the community’ say neighbours.
Holgate Bridge Hotel on Holgate Road has applied to extend its alcohol licence.
The 12-room hotel has a 12 cover bar and 36 covers in its beer garden.
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It has applied for a 24-hour licence to sell alcohol on and off the premises to guests, and between 8am and midnight to members of the public.
It also wants a late night refreshment licence to sell alcohol from 11pm to 5am to hotel residents and guests. York’s public protection officer withdrew an objection after the hotel’s owners agreed to stop serving alcohol in the garden at 10pm.
“The premises is described in the application as a new 12 room hotel aiming for the exclusive design led boutique hotel market,” a report to members of the City of York Council licensing hearing says.
The application says: “The hotel is a design led concept attracting a discrete clientele… In reality we seek to service only hotel guests and the local community.”
‘Extremely disruptive’
It promises to have trained staff on hand throughout and CCTV to prevent crime and disorder.
However, neighbours aren’t happy. Twenty four have written to object to the proposal.
A resident of Watson Street writes: “This proposed licensed premises coming into the area would be extremely disruptive and it will certainly destroy our sense of community, peace and quiet.”
They said serving alcohol to residents is acceptable. “But when I heard that they planned to open to the public too and to apply for drinking and dining outside I was shocked that their application could even be considered.
“If it is allowed it will be truly disastrous for the community that live here and our safety from greater levels of crime, disorder, noise disruption and road safety.”
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A resident of St Paul’s Square writes: “This is a quiet residential area and we are concerned that the granting of an alcohol licence on the terms applied for could seriously detract from its present quiet character.
“It is believed that the applicant may be considering acquiring adjacent properties in the Holgate Road.
“If this is the case and such properties are also to be covered by the provisions of this licensing application, the impact of the proposal would be greatly exacerbated to the detriment of the quiet residential character of the Square.”
Another writes: “Noise, disturbance, and pollution from the premises would destroy my enjoyment of my rear courtyard and communal garden, and my and my guest’s privacy…
“I am concerned about the hotel appealing to racegoers, arriving back from the races in the inebriated and dishevelled state that we are accustomed to seeing around York.”
“The opening of a nearby restaurant and bar from 8am to midnight to everybody – combined with drinking, open air events, smoking, litter and traffic – will compromise our ability to continue to work effectively from home during the week and will almost certainly keep us awake at night,” another neighbour wrote.
There are also concerns about increased traffic to its car park, and the potential hazards this could pose to children attending nearby St Paul’s Primary School.
Councillors will decide on the licence at a hearing next Monday, 12 June.
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