A new bar in Newquay offering board games and console games has been granted a premises licence, despite noise concerns raised by nearby residents.
T&G Pop LTD, which also runs the Dead Famous Liquor Lounge in the town, applied to reopen Oceans Café on East Street until 2am as a games-focused bar. The company said it would be a "very chilled environment" and definitely not a nightclub.
Two sets of neighbours wrote to Cornwall Council opposing the application. One said: "The proposed late-night opening hours, in an area already saturated with licensed premises – two are within 30 yards of Oceans Café and two more premises are 100 yards away – demonstrate that there is not a need for further licensed premises, especially one requesting a license until 2am. The cumulative impact of multiple licensed premises in this area has reached its capacity.
"The proposed late-night opening hours will increase the likelihood of anti-social behaviour in the area, particularly given the existing issues with public drunkenness and vandalism."
Another resident added: "The fear of noise, potential incidents in and around the premises with the current licence is enough in the location. We already suffer from criminal damage caused by drinkers and other matters."
Taylor Hetherston, of T&G Pop LTD, said the company had agreed to stop all licensed activity at 1am, with the bar closing at 1.30am, following representations from Devon and Cornwall Police and environmental health. They also agreed to install additional CCTV outside the premises and hire security from 9pm to closing time. All outdoor activities in the bar's garden would stop at 11pm.
He told the meeting that the bar would not open late every night. Mr Hetherston added that the company runs other licensed businesses and staff were well versed in decibel levels and dispersal methods.
"We already operate a nightclub in Newquay and that one is enough for us," he told a licensing sub-committee on Wednesday, August 12, adding that the games bar would offer something different for Newquay in a more relaxed environment than many other late night establishments.
"It will be focused on regulars and locals, and will be a very chilled environment," added Mr Hetherston.
The meeting heard that T&G Pop LTD took over the Oceans Café premises in May, but the business was yet to reopen in its new guise due to renovation work currently taking place.
The committee granted the premises licence, taking into consideration the applicant's agreements with the police and environmental health, believing that it would not lead to public nuisance.
Newquay Games Bar Gets Licence Despite Neighbour Objections