A STALYBRIDGE venue has been allowed to serve alcohol for longer, despite claims noise from it is making residents’ lives ‘absolute hell.’
SK15 Bar and Bistro, on Market Street, was accused of showing a ‘complete lack of respect’ by those opposed to its application.
But after general manager Stephen Bower raised comparisons of living next to a pig farm to objectors, it was allowed to sell alcohol from 9.30am by Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Liquor Licensing) panel.
And even though committee member Cllr Mike Smith told both sides: “Going forward, there should be a bit of give and take,” and that one noise complaint is currently being investigated, it was approved without any conditions.
SK15 says it applied for the new licensing hours, as well as the ability to open and serve until 2am on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, because of requests from customers.
Mark Hobson, speaking on behalf of owner Daniel Foden, told the panel at its meeting on Monday, March 10: “The existing licence only permits the sale of alcohol from 11.30am but we’re regularly asked by customers for champagne, prosecco and mimosas to accompany their meals.
“This is common at better quality eatery venues, where customers wish to have a celebratory breakfast or brunch with family and friends.
“There are similar venues locally that are allowed earlier sales. SK15 just wants parity with them in the interests of consistency and fair competition.
“The business is also applying to extend the opening hours to take account of customer demand during the festive period.
“It’s been a successful one so far and is well run. It provides many positive benefits, it brings in business rates, provides local jobs and promotes social interaction between local people.
“The council promotes the regeneration of Stalybridge and this type of business should be allowed to prosper.
“Breakfast and brunch are popular and customers ask for drinks to accompany their meals. We’re happy to work with the council to address the current noise complaints. We want to have a good relationship with the neighbours.
“Staff are endeavouring to manage the premises to the best of their ability.”
However, Philip and Sandra Brooke, who have lived above SK15 in Regency Court since November, spoke of their negative experiences, especially regarding noise.
Mr Brooke told the hearing how levels are ‘horrendous,’ although that is an improvement from ‘horrendous, horrendous, horrendous.’
He said, insisting he had invited Mr Bower into their flat so he could sample the sounds: “There’s a complete lack of respect for the neighbours. We’ve got to live there, we’re stuck with it.
“We wouldn’t have bought the apartment had we known the music was banging like it is. It’s having adverse effect on people’s lives.
“There’s no need to have that music so loud, during the day or night.
“It’s really affecting our lives and those of other people.
“We’ve asked for a little respect. You have tried to bring volume down but it’s nowhere near what it needs to be.
“We’ve no problem with general noise, no business is perfect but if we can get the noise sorted, we’re all on the same page.
“The noise has gone from horrendous, horrendous, horrendous to horrendous. It’s like I’m only going to hit you three times instead of five.”
His wife added: “For our first Christmas in our new apartment, we had to cancel our family coming.
“I had to put my grandson in my car and drive back to Droylsden at 12.30am because of the level of noise.
“We have gangs of kids hanging around outside. It’s made our lives absolute hell.”
Another objector stated: “I live on the fourth floor and the building shakes because of the noise. The noise from there is already ridiculous.”
Mr Bower contended any ‘gangs of kids’ were a direct result of SK15, he will look into concerns and will ‘cross the bridge’ on a noise limiter if environmental health officers suggest one regarding the formal complaint.
But after suggesting they would like to reach an agreement without one, because of cost and not fully knowing how one works – but not ruling one out, he told Mr and Mrs Brooke: “I wouldn’t live on a main road because I don’t like cars passing by. I wouldn’t live in a town centre because there are people in town centres.
“I wouldn’t want to move next to a pig farm because I wouldn’t want to smell pigs.
“We give consideration to residents as we’ve not had any complaints to this level. Some of the residents who live above us actually come in and eat on regular occasions.
“Clearly, they’re not upset.
“Philip has acknowledged they have come down, not to where he wants them to be, but we have been trying.
“On a Saturday night, we can have 80-100 people in, which will generate a bit of noise but also there are bars surrounding us which generate noise.
“We don’t want to upset people but we’re trying to find a level. We’re just trying to run a business and we’ve brought lots of people into the centre.
“It’s been regenerated but you can’t regenerate a centre without bars and restaurants because people don’t go to show shops and clothes shops anymore.”
Despite the arguments, the panel allowed the application without conditions.
Chair, Cllr Helen Bowden, said: “The extensions and seasonal variations are acceptable.
“We considered the concerns raised regarding potential noise disturbance and believe the existing measures in place, combined with assurances given by management will be sufficient to mitigate these issues.”