Restaurant bid noise fear

A bid to open a popular restaurant inside a North Shore hotel has come under fire from neighbours who fear the move will create late night noise in the neighbourhood.
Belgrave Madison Hotel , Queens Promenade BisphamBelgrave Madison Hotel , Queens Promenade Bispham
Belgrave Madison Hotel , Queens Promenade Bispham

David Davies has applied to Blackpool Council for a premises licence allowing him to serve alcohol and provide entertainment until midnight at The Stone Grill on Queens Promenade.

He already operates a Stone Grill restaurant at the North Ocean Hotel on the Promenade which boasts one of the highest Trip Advisor ratings in Blackpool.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But neighbours have objected to the new venture which they say is in a residential area.

A council licensing panel is now due to meet on Wednesday May 11 at the town hall to determine the issue.

The restaurant would operate within the Belgrave Madison Hotel which was previously able to sell alcohol until the licence was surrendered in July 2014.

In a letter submitted to the panel, solicitor Michael Woosnam, representing Mr Davies, says his client is “not asking for anything more” than the previous licence permitted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He adds: “The other point we would wish to make is our client already operates premises as the North Ocean Hotel at 390 Promenade, Blackpool.

“The premises operate as both a hotel and a Stone Grill restaurant.

“As such, they have both been assessed by the Trip Advisor organisation.

“Both are very highly rated by members of the public.”

The Stone Grill is rated 11th best restaurant in Blackpool out of 534 according to Trip Advisor, with four-and-a-half stars out of five.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But people living nearby have submitted formal objections to the application for a licence.

Among the concerns raised to the council is that people leaving the venue late at night would create unacceptable disturbance to a higher level than if the premises was just a hotel.

One objector says: “It is highly surprising that such a late licence could be considered at all in a completely residential area, and for seven nights of the week.”

Another neighbour fears during the warmer summer months, noise will carry due to the windows being open at the venue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The applicant is also seeking permission to stay open until 2am on New Year’s Eve.

The premises licence would also allow live music and recorded music.

A decision on the licence will be made by a panel of three councillors who will hear evidence from all parties involved.