Bar faces opposition on D-day for licence
AQUIRKY Ormskirk bar which reopened this summer faces opposition from residents and police in its bid for a permanent licence.
The Timber Yard opened its doors on Moorgate last month, having previously opened last year under different ownership, and is operating on a temporary licence.
West Lancashire Borough Council is due to decide on application for a permanent licence today (Thursday), but several oppositions have been raised.
Among those to register an objection are Lancashire police, with PC Julie Stewart telling the council that the application “does not offer sufficient measures to promote the crime and disorder licensing objectives”.
The original application outlines steps to be taken to combat crime and disorder, including CCTV, locks on gates and bar doors and an alarm system, and further discussions have since taken place between the police and the bar’s owner since PC Stewart’s submission.
Customers will also be urged to quiet and respectful of neighbours and bar staff will encourage the Challenge 25 policy in the interests of public safety and preventing public nuisance, according to the application.
Jill Antrobus, the council’s principal environmental health officer, also raised concerns that not enough has been done to prevent nuisance to neighbours caused by live music and patrons leaving the premises. Twenty-seven letters have been received by the council licensing sub-committee from neighbours unhappy with the plans.
There is also an objection from the council’s principal planning officer who states that the appropriate planning permission to use the building as a bar is not currently in place, an issue he says has been raised with the previous owner.
Before the reopening, owner Sean Physick said that he wanted to give something back to the community,
He said: “It’s not going to be a student, loud, pumping music, bar. I’m hoping to get food stalls in there and have a sort of (Liverpool) Baltic Triangle theme.”
The food stalls are planned for weekends, while other ideas such as transforming the bar into a Christmas grotto are aimed at making the most of the unique space. The bar will also be family and dog-friendly and is designed to be a focal point for those living nearby.
“We’re conscious of not upsetting neighbours but the response I’ve got off people is they’re happy it’s coming back.
“I wouldn’t take the place on if I wasn’t confident. I’ve lived in Ormskirk all my life, I’ve worked in the bars, I know what is popular here.
“I want to give something back to Ormskirk. With it being a residential area, people have to walk a long way to get to the town centre, across busy roads, but now they won’t have to.”
A decision will be made today.