Locals fears glass, vomit and urine in bar plans
RESIDENTS in Sutton Coldfield fear an increase in the amount of ‘broken glass, vomit, fast food wrappers and pint glasses full of urine’ if a local bar is allowed to extend its opening hours.
This week the Cask and Craft bar on Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield, submitted an application to extend its licensable hours, to 10am until 11pm (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10am until 1am (Thursday to Saturday).
This would mean the bar, which is surrounded by homes, keeping its doors open until 1.30am at weekends and 11.30pm on weekdays.
The application, which is set to go before the council next week, has received several objections from local residents so far.
And, despite a commitment from the bar owner to close the outside area at 9pm every night, local people have written letters of objection outlining concerns around noise pollution, littering and crime.
“This area [the outside area] was constructed last year with apparently no thought for residential neighbours and no discussion with the owner/ licensee who appears to have no concern for the impact of this development,” one resident wrote.
“I feel that all bars in the area contribute to having a negative effect on crime and disorder, together with public nuisance. “If you were to visit the local area in the early mornings, particularly at weekends, you will witness broken glass, vomit, fast food wrappers and often pint glasses that are full of urine discarded on the pavement.” “Any decisions made with Covid-19 pandemic business recovery in mind need to be taken carefully and take into account the welfare of the closest local residents,” another resident wrote.
“Temporary arrangements have a habit of becoming permanent and while I support short term initiatives to get everyone back on their feet decisions should not be rushed.” One resident has also claimed that the owner of the bar told him to ‘f** off’ when he approached him to discuss the issue, something which the owner of the bar, Chris Morris, strenuously denies.
Responding to the allegations, Mr Morris said that several of the allegations made by local residents had been false, adding: “I understand their concerns about noise as I live local myself I am more than happy to work with neighbours for a quiet life and a great high street.”