Brewdog secures permission to open new bar on Ipswich Waterfront
Brewdog has secured a licence to open a new bar on Ipswich Waterfront.
Brewdog has secured a licence to open a new bar on Ipswich Waterfront.
Ipswich Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee gave the green light at a hearing on Thursday morning for the firm to be granted a sale of alcohol licence in the former La Tour Cycle Cafe unit.
Concerns had been raised by residents over the impact of noise, littering, parking and hours of use up to 12.30am on weekends.
But the council’s committee was satisfied conditions were sound for it to go ahead.
A meeting between Brewdog and the residents was held in October, and ahead of the licensing meeting the bar agreed to reduce the hours of use by one hour.
It means that sales of alcohol will cease at 11pm Sunday-Thursday instead of the originally planned midnight, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays instead of 1am in the original proposals, with a dispersal period of half an hour.
No live or recorded music is planned.
The firm also agreed to cease the smoking area for outdoor drinking from 10.30pm and make the duty manager’s phone number available to residents in the event of problems.
Felicity Tuck, solicitor on behalf of Brewdog, said the firm believed it had addressed concerns of residents.
“It’s a significant pub operator with around 70 in the UK. Ipswich has long been on their radar as a town they want to come into,” she said.
“There is a £750,000 fit-out, they expect to employ around 20 staff in part time and full time roles, and have a commitment to using local suppliers, and generally believe it will be an asset to the locality.”
She added: “We believe there is demand for a well-run premises in this location. It’s a boarded up unit covered in graffiti in an unlit area of the Waterfront. My client believes the application of that space would improve and enhance the area. It can be an attractive pub for Ipswich.”
But some residents said that while the reduced hours were welcome their issues remained outstanding.
The application site sits in a Cumulative Impact Area zone, which means new licenses are expected to be refused unless it can be demonstrated there will be no negative impact.
Some residents in the nearby Winerack flats said that could not be achieved.
Dr Kate Garland, speaking on behalf of 14 residents said: “There will be an increase in noise causing disturbance to residents, irrespective of the adjustments, irrespective of any additional cladding that might be in the interior.
Barbara Spraggans, another neighbour, added: “This area is already known as the jewel in Ipswich’s crown and to add another pub to the mix which is requested to open until the early hours is not conducive to happy residents. Surely the council do not want this to become the next late night drunken hotspot?”
Other concerns were around smoke from the proposed smoking area, bin emptying and delivery times, and ventilation pipes from the kitchens.
A planning application for the unit’s fit-out has been lodged with the council, with the bar saying it was likely to go before planners next month.
James Brown, Brewdog managing director, said: “We are excited to be landing in the historic town of Ipswich with a brand new Brewdog bar.
“We’re aiming to open our doors this summer, bringing our signature blend of incredible beer, epic food and friendly hospitality.”