Ruling made on alcohol licence for the Trades Hotel and the Moores Hotel in Blackpool

A Blackpool hotelier has won his battle to serve booze until the early hours of the morning despite objections from some nearby residents.

A town hall licensing panel granted an application by Neil Cropper in relation to the Trades Hotel on Lord Street and the Moores Hotel on Banks Street after hearing agreements had been reached with the police.

These include agreeing to serve booze to customers at the Trades Hotel until 3am, instead of the 4am closing time initially applied for. The Moores will operate until 2am.

Mr Cropper also agreed a number of other conditions which include using plastic or strengthened glasses, a Challenge 25 policy to rule out underage drinkers and use of door staff after 9pm at weekends.

The hearing was told although the two hotels were now under the same ownership, the door between them was for use by staff only.

A council notice setting out the decision says: “Following discussions with the police, the proposed hours for the Trades are amended to a 3am terminal hour with a number of additional conditions added to the licence if granted.

“Mr Cropper is an established operator in the area. His track record is not unblemished and certainly the police and licensing authority have had cause to become involved in reviews of both the Trades and Kaos previously.”

But the police and licensing authority did not object to the application once the amendments were agreed.

A number of residents, who did not attend the hearing, had raised concerns about the potential for late-night noise and disturbance.

But the decision notice added: “Mr Cropper during the consultation process has listened to the concerns from the police, has, in the panel’s view, sensibly amended his application, and accepted additional conditions.

“These amended trading hours are compatible with other licensed establishments in the area, which is on the outskirts of the town centre late-night entertainment area.

“The residents making representations to this application are concerned about the potential changes to the area and the panel understands these concerns but their decision must be based on evidence, not a fear or concern that something might happen.”

In November 2022, a decision was made by Blackpool Council to suspend the licence for the Trades Hotel for 14 days after a licensing panel heard evidence of after-hours sales.