Bar bids to stay open until 4am (From This is Hampshire)

Bar bids to stay open until 4am

2:00pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in News By Simon Moss

BASINGSTOKE police are fighting plans by the owners of a planned new bar in the Top of The Town to keep it open until 4am for most of the week.

Bosses behind Zeus VIP have applied for an alcohol licence at the former Cafe Piccolo restaurant, in Winchester Street.

If they get their way, the new bar could sell alcohol until 3.30am throughout the week, except for Sunday when trading would cease at midnight. There is also an application to play live music until 2am from Monday to Thursday.

Hampshire Constabulary has objected to the application, saying a 4am finish would have a negative impact on the cleaning up process after night-time activity ceases.

In a written submission, PC Ricky Davis said: “If there is not sufficient time given to clean the town, then clearly this would mean members of the public would be walking through an area littered with broken glass, empty bottles, urine and vomit.”

PC Davis also argues that the bar is too close to residential properties, as well as a residential retirement complex currently being built in New Road.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillor Gavin James, ward member for Eastrop, has indicated he, too, will argue against the proposals.

He said: “People don’t need to drink until 4am, and certainly not six days a week, but that is the way we are going. It’s not healthy for society or the people who live near the town centre.

“Staying open that late will have an impact on the daytime economy, which is even more important than the night time economy.”

Bosses at the new bar plan to use only polycarbonate glasses on the ground floor, while the over-25s first-floor – which would be members only – would use glasses. According to licensing documents, bosses at the bar would ensure stringent policies, such as Challenge 21, are observed, and regular logs of all incidents will be kept.

The application will be made to a licensing sub-committee of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on July 9.