New Shrewsbury bar drops live music bid

Wisetrace Holdings have submitted a new licensing application to Shropshire Council for a bar planned at the former Argos shop at 5 to 6 Claremont.

In March the developers withdrew their first licensing application, which had requested permission to host live music anytime from 5pm until 11pm, from Monday to Wednesday, until 1am on Thursday and Sunday, and 2am on Friday and Saturday.

Under the withdrawn application permission was also requested for recorded music to be played from 10am to 1am from Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am at weekends.

However, a new application, set to be considered by Shropshire Council's licensing act sub-committee on June 5, has dropped the request to host live music entirely.

It has also reduced the hours for the playing of recorded music to 10am to midnight, Monday to Sunday, with opening hours of 9am to 12.30am, and the supply of alcohol from 10am to midnight.

The initial application had attracted opposition from the council's environmental team, however, it says it is withdrawing its objection because the developers have agreed to a series of conditions.

They include that doors and windows should be kept shut after 11pm and that a noise management plan be submitted and agreed with the council.

Under the terms of the new agreement the premises would have two door staff on duty on the entrance to the bar and one member of security staff for every 100 customers in the premises from 9pm until the close of business on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Sundays preceding a bank holiday Monday.

The planning application for the bar was approved earlier this month after considerable changes were made to the proposal.

Originally the applicants wanted to see the venue operate over two floors, with an open air balcony on the top level.

But after concerns about noise and possible anti-social behaviour, the designs were changed and the bar and restaurant will now be on the ground floor, with the second storey being used for offices and toilets.

An open front kitchen will be on the ground floor, with boothed seating for diners. Meanwhile, the entrance to the venue has been moved to the left hand side of the building so it is as far away from neighbouring residential properties as possible.