Victoria Bar beer garden bid knocked back

The owners of the Victoria Bar on Shore Street wanted to transform the internal courtyard behind the pub into an open air drinking space.

But the beer garden would have been beside a housing complex for people with disabilities and it proved controversial, being vehemently opposed by more than 20 residents.

Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld, chair of the licensing board, moved an amendment to refuse the application on the grounds of 'preventing public nuisance', one of the board's objectives.

He told the Telegraph: "The pub is surrounded by care homes, Key Housing and sheltered housing."

There were 22 objections in total, with the possibility of anti-social behaviour and litter among other concerns listed by opponents.

Adrian Howlett, representing pub owners Greene King, said that the beer garden would have been 16 sq ft and able to accommodate around 16 people.

Councillor Ahlfeld said: "A number of the Key Housing residents have additional support needs.

"We had to take that into consideration, as well as the significant number of objections."

Bryan Watson, of the Key Housing development in Adelaide Street, was one of those against the proposal.

He said: "The supported living accommodation has residents with disabilities and mental health issues.

"I don't think this [the application] is ideal at all.

"Having a beer garden would be stressful and upsetting to residents".

Board member Councillor Chris Curley had proposed granting the application and he was supported by Cllr David Wilson.

But Mr Ahlfeld's motion won by four votes to two, with the support of board members Jim McEleny, Robert Moran and John Crowther.

A separate application from the pub, to provide bar meals through external catering, meanwhile got the go-ahead.

The pub does not have a commercial kitchen so it has proposed bringing food deliveries in to customers, 'as and when required'.

The last will be made no later than 9pm, to keep traffic and noise at a minimum.