Liverpool council hears concerns over bar bids near Everton stadium

BBC News

2 days ago

Concerns have been raised about the number of licensed premises opening or planned in the shadow of Everton's new stadium. Liverpool Waterfront North councillor Dave Hanratty said the stadium was meant to bring investment but that "the only investment we're getting at the moment is alcohol-licenced premises".He spoke at a licensing meeting where a bid to open a bar named in honour of former Everton manager Howard Kendall was put on hold until a planning dispute could be resolved.A building control officer told the meeting the impact of the wider stadium development would not be known until the ground was in regular use.
The plans for the Howard Kendall Suite at Collingwood Dock were discussed at a meeting ahead of Everton's 1-0 defeat to Roma in a pre-season friendly at the 52,000-seater ground on Saturday. A bid by another operator, Mersey View Leisure Ltd, to open another venue in nearby Fulton Street, is set to be heard by licensing chiefs later.Both bids have been brought by companies independent of the football club.
The Howard Kendall Suite plan was brought by firm Intersky, and would include a bar and restaurant made from shipping containers. According to its website, the business is aiming to provide a "unique and VIP hospitality pre and post-match" for about 170 people.Paul Douglas, representing the developer, said work that had already begun on site was allowed under "permitted development rights" and did not require council sign-off.But building control officer Peter Jones said that was not correct and the operators had "ignored" the council's advice, prompting enforcement action, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.Mr Douglas described Mr Jones' comments as "really unfair". Mr Jones said the Labour-led council might be able to support such ventures in "12 months or a season's time".
'Right balance'
Ward councillor Hanratty, Labour, questioned whether the matchday hospitality venue - which would not allow walk-in custom - was right for the area.For decades, the area close to the recently built stadium had been largely made up of industrial sites and warehousing, but in recent years a number of bars and cafes have sprung up, alongside hotel and residential conversions of previously derelict buildings.Hanratty said: "The principal thing is, is this right for the area? The reason for the number of objections is the amount of people living in the Tobacco Warehouse."We have to make sure we have the right balance." He warned how if the area was not managed it could become a "free-for-all", adding: "It's a nice area and we want it to grow."
Mr Douglas said the planning issue would be sorted out, and that the applicants knew it was a case of "no planning, no trade".In his objection to the plans for a venue at the former industrial unit in Fulton Street, on the other side of Regent Road, Hanratty said the midnight closing time could be a problem for people living in the area."This is an up-and-coming area and we need to ensure we protect the quality of life for those residents, who could be detrimentally affected."The council needs to have a consistent approach and not have an over-saturation of late-night premises."Licensing chiefs are due to consider the plan later.
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