Anti-social behaviour concerns have been raised over plans to turn a former Derby furniture shop into a pub.
The licensing application, from Shepherd Events Ltd, looks to create The Yard, a pub which would open for business in part of the former Finewood Studios store on Station Road, Mickleover.
But a Derby City Council meeting is to be held on the plans after fears were raised by residents and a Mickleover councillor relating to concerns about its location, opening hours and potential anti-social behaviour. Shepherd Events Ltd is understood to be the management company of The Spread Eagle pub in Etwall.
The Finewood Studios store closed permanently in 2023 after 50 years of trading. But the building has seen a new lease of life in recent months.
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A licensing application was approved earlier this year for a wine bar and deli – called Brooks Winery – to launch in another section of the same building. The Yard will be situated next to it if the council grants licensing permission.
Council documents state the proposed opening hours will be 10am to midnight Monday to Thursday, 10am to 1am Friday and Saturday and 10am to 11pm on Sundays.
Permission is also sought to play live and recorded music during opening hours, as well as the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.
But a General Licensing Sub-Committee meeting has been scheduled for November 11 because of the objections sent in to the council. There is fear its busy street location and next to a wine bar could cause disruption to locals. Seven residents living nearby the building have submitted objections and Mickleover councillor Miles Pattison.
The councillor wrote: “I have concerns regarding the fact that this bar is in a heavily populated residential area and the beer garden backs on to residential properties and their gardens. I also have concerns regarding the proposed opening hours, hours allowed for live music and the fact that there is already a bar in the same building.”
A resident has expressed concern about the location of an outdoor seating area “which directly backs onto the gardens and rear bedrooms of homes along Warner Street”. Another resident claims “alcohol-led footfall” has led to anti-social behaviour, “including intoxicated individuals blocking pavements and creating hazards for passing vehicles”.
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For a licensing application to be approved the council must be satisfied that a premise will be able to meet its licensing objectives. These include:
The prevention of crime and disorder
Public safety
The prevention of public nuisance
The protection of children from harm
In application documents Shepherd Events Ltd state that CCTV will be installed internally and externally and staff “will exercise zero tolerance in respect of rude and disruptive behaviour”. It adds the venue will operate a challenge 25 age verification policy.
Its application states: “The primary use of the premises shall be as a public house. All staff will be provided with training in relation to the licensing objectives that are commensurate with their duties. This will include the individual’s responsibilities, age verification and licensing offences, as appropriate.”
Ahead of the meeting, to date, Derbyshire Police has raised no objection to the application with the council.
