Bridal shop now a cocktail bar as plans gets go-ahead
COCKTAIL fans could have a new venue to visit by Christmas after a Leek bar was given the green light to expand into a neighbouring shop unit.
A former wedding shop in Getliffe’s Yard is set to be turned into a cocktail bar by the owner of Leek Bar and Grill. And drinkers will be also able to order tipples in the courtyard area of Getliffe’s Yard as part of a planned waitress service.
Ozgur Yeter of Leek Bar and Grill, who put forward the proposals to Stafford Moorlands District Council, said the expansion would create three new full time and three new part time jobs.
The 35-year-old, of Stockport, added: “We’re hoping it will be open by Christmas.
“We already do cocktails in the bar but we will have more variety and it will develop and the menu will be updated regularly. It will operate together with the restaurant.
“There are a lot of pubs in Leek but there are not many cocktail places. People can come in and have a drink, dine and then stay here and enjoy the cocktails. They can enjoy a whole evening here rather than dining and going.
“Everyone in Leek knows about the plan and they keep asking me when it is going to open. We started here three and a half years ago and it has been all about word of mouth – people telling their family and friends. Once we get this up and running it will being more people into town.”
But not everyone welcomed the proposals however. Nearby residents have complained about noise from customers using fire escapes just metres from homes in Bath Street and York Street. And concerns were also raised about an extension to the venue’s operating hours, to allow it to stay open as late as 1.30am
Bath Street resident David Brough, who spoke at Friday’s council licensing sub-committee hearing, said: “It’s a residential area – 1.30am is ridiculous. On New Year’s Eve I can accept it but not in the week or weekends.
“The majority of people here are retired and we want some peace. I have nothing against the cafe but what kind of people are you going to get at 1.30am?
“People have been using Bath Street (fire exit), coming out smoking, talking and drinking.
“There was a funeral party and the language was disgusting. My wife went out to ask them to modify their language and the second word was ‘off.’ They were not young people, they were middle-aged.”
Mr Yeter said the door had been kept open during a couple of weeks in the summer to allow air to circulate.
He added: “We never encourage people to go out there and smoke. That happened in the past, I agree, but there was already a sign up. It is being monitored and we don’t use that as an entrance or exit.
“I would like to say to our neighbours that anything we hear from you – any kind of complaints – we will take on board. You can come in and talk to me.”
The premises licence was granted subject to a number of conditions, including the placing of a rope barrier at the bottom of the steps to the fire escape on York Street with sign stating the exit could not be used except in an emergency, when the rope could be put to one side. Signage must also be placed in the yard area telling customers to use the Derby Street exit.