Pub granted outdoor music licence despite objections

A pub has won the right to host live music outdoors and install an external bar despite objections from town councillors.

Bailey's Court Inn in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, was successful in its licence application even though Bradley Stoke Town Council said the changes would be "detrimental" to public health and wellbeing.

The town council was criticised for failing to provide specific examples of anticipated problems.

South Gloucestershire Council approved the licence changes on Wednesday. Solicitor Michelle Hazlewood, who represented the pub, said the community could have "confidence" that it can manage outdoor noise.

Marston's, the operator of the pub, submitted the application to vary its licence conditions following a £396,000 refurbishment that was completed last year.

Hazlewood said the objections from the town council had prompted "speculation" and "fear" among locals.

"The community can have that confidence that externally [the pub] can manage that noise," she said, adding that it "remains very much at the heart of the community".

The licensing conditions, including the right to play films, were agreed in advance with the police and environmental health officers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A spokesperson for Bradley Stoke Town Council said there were concerns the plans would increase anti-social behaviour, noise levels and littering in the area.

The spokesperson added that there could be excessive alcohol consumption and that the plans could be detrimental to public health and to the protection of children from harm.

However, South Gloucestershire councillor Ron Hardie said the town council's objections were "unfortunately not particularly substantiated with examples or reasons... which is a bit of a concern".

Philip Francis-Barber, deputy clerk of the town council, said the councillors who objected were not present at the hearing in which the licence changes were considered, and so could not expand on their thoughts.

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