Licensing breaches ‘will not be tolerated’

Hambleton District Council was forced to take the measures following a series of complaints over music and noise caused by people entering and leaving Aspire, as well as smoking outside in the early hours.

On some occasions they claimed it had been so severe, they had been unable to sleep in their own homes.

Environmental health officers worked with the bar’s management in a bid to resolve the problem, but when the complaints continued the council officers agreed the only way forward was to seek a review of the licence.

Members of the authority’s licensing panel found that the “prevention of public nuisance” objective was being undermined and slashed the operating hours from 2.30am to 1am. It also removed the permission to hold live music entertainment.

Hambleton District Council cabinet member, Coun Peter Wilkinson said: “I hope this decision sends a clear message to all publicans – that public houses must act responsibly and in accordance with the terms of their license.

“This decision was not made lightly, but if premises continually breach the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance then we have to act. Activities from the premises were causing serious and prolonged noise nuisance to local residents – to the extent that several times a week they were prevented from sleeping in their beds.”

Coun Wilkinson said the business has since closed.

One of the four objectives in granting a premises licence and late night opening hours is that the licensees can operate without causing “public nuisance” to local residents. The licence can be reviewed at any time.