Pub’s Application for Beer Garden Sparks Noise Concerns

A pub’s bid to build a beer garden has been referred to a licensing committee over concerns about noise. Ellis’s Bar in Rhyl has submitted an application to Denbighshire County Council, seeking for permission for a variation in its licence.
Currently the bar at 42 – 44 Water Street has permission to provide “licensable activities” from 9:00am to 04:00am on Monday – Sunday. It has now applied for a variation not to extend the existing operating hours but instead to create a beer garden with provisions in place to avoid noise.
A licensing report stated: “The premises propose to remove the building to the rear of Ellis’s to create a beer garden in its place. “The applicant has stated there will be no music in the beer garden after 11 pm, and there will be CCTV/door staff monitoring the beer garden after 11 pm. A secondary door will also be fitted onto (the) beer garden to avoid the breakout of noise.”
But the council has received seven written objections to the plans concerned with the potential for noise, anti-social behaviour, and public nuisance. As part of mediation the applicant offered to adjust the application, suggesting raising barrier screens and closing the beer garden after 11 pm, but some residents still aren’t happy.
As part of the application, North Wales Police, the fire service, the council’s planning department, trading standards, and environmental health have been notified. The application will be discussed at a licensing sub-committee meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter