The decision to extend a popular nightspot and restaurant’s licence will be determined this week — after 60 objections are submitted against the plans.
Harbour House on Ryde Esplanade has previously been criticised for the ‘drunken debauchery’ of its customers, but is looking to extend its opening hours until 1.30am, seven days a week.
Licensing sub-committee
A licensing application, submitted on behalf of the establishment by Karl Harding, will be discussed by the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing sub-committee on Thursday.
It wants to sell late-night refreshments and alcohol until 1.30am.
Half-hour extension
Harbour House was granted a half-hour extension to its licence in September 2020, but the same concerns then are still being raised now.
The Isle of Wight Council has received 60 objections to the application with only one supportive comment.
Concerns over prevention of public nuisance
The council’s environmental health officers have raised concerns about the prevention of public nuisance after receiving numerous complaints from nearby residents about noise disturbance coming from Harbour House.
Last July, officers visited the restaurant at midnight, despite being called there earlier in the day, where investigations found Harbour House had failed to uphold the licensing objective.
Formal written warning
A formal written warning was issued to Mr Harding reminding him of the future conduct in managing the premises.
Measures have been proposed by Harbour House to mitigate any impact on public nuisance, safety and the prevention of crime and disorder which have been reinforced by Hampshire Constabulary.
An officer from the force’s licensing and alcohol harm reduction team agreed with Mr Harding on some of the conditions and the introduction of further measures they believed proportionate.
Measures to be introduced
Some of those include last entry an hour before the premises closes, the installation of CCTV and customer monitoring, with staff undertaking regular patrols to check for early signs of drunkenness.
The council’s licensing sub-committee will take into consideration all the evidence and make its decision later this week.
You can read the officers’ full report on the IWC’s Website.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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