Shrewsbury bar gets green light to stay open until 2.30am

Ashley's Wine Bar in Shoplatch can now stay open until 2.30am Monday to Saturday under the new terms of its planning agreement. It will be allowed to stay open until 4.30am on New Year's morning.

The owners of Ashley's have said they intend to apply the late opening hours to Friday and Saturday nights.

The ruling was made by members of Shropshire Council's central planning committee yesterday after councillors were told there was no evidence to back up claims of anti-social behaviour at the venue in Shrewsbury or on the streets outside.

The hearing at Shirehall also granted permission for the bar to keep tables and chairs outside the premises until 2.30am, although they must not be used by the public after 11.30pm.

Council planning officer Frank Whitley said there had been several objections to the application from local residents as well as Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents' Association.

He told the committee that the objections had been based on the level of noise from the bar, and a fear of anti-social behaviour.

But Mr Whitley said that only one official complaint about noise had been registered in the previous 12 months, and that had taken place before 10pm.

He said: "Because of a lack of evidence of harm, in my opinion there are no grounds to refuse the application."

The committee was also told that the planning department considered that the economic benefits of the proposal outweighed the potential harm to residents.

Mike Evans of Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents' Association told the hearing that the sleep of nearby residents is affected by noise from the bar. He said: "Ashley's clientèle may come and go but locals cannot go anywhere."

The committee was also told of efforts by Ashley's to minimise disruption with extra door staff employed, a sound limiter installed, and the music moved to the back of the bar, away from the front door.