Oldbury bar granted licence despite neighbours’ objections
A licence to sell alcohol has been granted by councillors to a proposed Oldbury bar – despite objections from residents about driving at seven in the morning.
Sandwlel Council's licensing committee granted the permit for Bowketts Lounge and Grill, on Wolverhampton Road, after also hearing of concerns over parking and noise nuisance from people living in the area.
The application asked for permission to serve food and alcohol from 7am to midnight in a former shop, which developers hope will be converted into a bar with a beer garden.
Residents claimed the proposed venue was unsuitable and that the opening hours were "much too early".
Peter Wates, speaking on behalf of 16 objectors, told the committee: "This is a quiet residential neighbourhood and for this application to go ahead is contravening all of our wishes.
“It’s not appropriate for the area, it’s a shop were people used to come and go but we have no objections to redevelopment.
“There is no consideration for the residents here, it’s a quiet area and this will have a major impact on all of us.”
He added: “Why do people want to be drinking alcohol at seven in the morning? We have three schools in the local area, why would children want to be passing people drinking at nine in the morning?”
Residents also raised fears about parking in an area which only had 20 minutes waiting times, but licensing councillors pointed out the number of parking spaces was a matter to be decided at as part of a planning application to convert the shop.
Mahath Dey, applying for the licence, said the proposed opening hours had already been reduced but he would consider a further reduction in the morning, adding: “I want all my neighbours and all the people living in the area to be with happy with the opening hours.”
Granting the licence, councillors set a series of strict conditions which set the opening hours from 12pm lunchtime until 12midnight, and until 11.30pm at weekends.
In addition they ordered there should be no live or amplified music and that windows be kept closed, while no food or drink could be consumed outside the premisses after 10pm to prevent noise nuisance.
An application to convert the premises will now be decided by the council’s planning committee.
