A Ryde restaurant previously criticised for the ‘drunken debauchery’ of its customers is looking to open until the small hours.
Harbour House on Ryde Esplanade wants to open from 9am until 1.30am, seven days a week, changing from its current 10am to 11.30pm times.
The licensing application, submitted by Karl Harding on behalf of the establishment, is asking for the changes to start as soon as possible.
An extra three hours a day
The restaurant and cocktail bar is also asking to sell late-night refreshments from 11.30pm to 1.30am and extend the sale of alcohol until 1.30am.
In September 2020, the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing sub-committee granted a half-hour extension until 11.30pm.
At the time, concerns were raised about litter outside of the premises, loud music and the ‘drunken debauchery’ of patrons including vandalism.
Objections raised
Many of the same concerns are being raised in the 15 objections submitted so far on the new application, now 17 months later.
One resident who lived across the street said the bar had caused a great deal of distress.
Another objector said Harbour House had a lack of respect for its neighbours with another said if the hours were to be extended it would ruin the peace and serenity of Ryde Harbour.
Lower the suggested extension
However, one said they loved Harbour House and enjoyed partying there in the summer.
They did say they were aware of the nuisance it could be to neighbours and to extend it for the whole week would be unfair. Instead, they suggested an extension just for Saturdays.
Measures in place
In licensing documents, the restaurant and cocktail bar lists the measures it has to prevent public nuisance, including being part of Ryde’s Pubwatch, staff training, door supervision and notices displayed to ask people to leave quietly, respecting nearby residents.
View the plans
To view the application, 22/00091/LAPVAR, you can visit the council’s licensing register.
Comments can be accepted until 1st March.
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
Image: mariaeklind under CC BY 2.0
