A York bar has had its bid to licence its new home approved ahead of a planned move, despite objections from neighbours concerned about attracting late night revellers.
Councillors granted the licence for Pairings Wine Bar’s new home at 18 Castlegate ahead of its move from its premises a couple of doors down the same street.
The change comes after its landlord decided not to renew their lease.
Business owner Kate Latham told councillors their focus was on quality experiences and their existing venue at 28 Castlegate had run for almost 20 years without causing complaints.
But Castlegate resident Bih Wong said although her and others had no complaints about Pairings they wanted to keep late night city centre drinkers including hen and stag parties away.
City of York Council’s licensing hearing’s granting of the licence comes after the business lodged a planning application as part of its proposed move to 18 Castlegate in July.
The planning application is yet to be decided.
The licence granted for 18 Castlegate allows Pairings to open until half past midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Drinks would not be served within the half an hour before the bar closes.
But Friday’s meeting heard the business would be willing to limit its hours and work with residents after two objections were lodged raising concerns about the proposed times.
Objectors, who live in Castlegate, said they feared the late hours would increase public nuisance in a narrow street with tall buildings which amplify noise.
Ms Wong told councillors her and others were worried about any changes that would attract more drinkers into Castlegate close to their homes.
The objector said: “What we’re concerned about is the risk of Castlegate becoming a part of the stag and hen party run, we’re anxious that the street never becomes a part of that.
“No one would dispute that there are disruptive visitors who come to York and make a nuisance of themselves.
“We’re not saying Pairings would be that sort of establishment, we accept there will be noise and antisocial behaviour along our street from time to time but we don’t want it to become a permanent fixture.”
Applicant Ms Latham said her and sister and business partner Kelly Gamble had built up Pairings’ reputation as a relaxed and welcoming wine bar, not a late night drinking venue.
Ms Latham said: “We’re not a two-for-one cocktail bar, we’re focused on quality, not quantity.
“We want to encourage conversation, not noise and disruption, people come to us for a special occassion and not a quick drink.
“What’s special about us is the way we pair food with wine, our guest come for an education and to discover something new.”
