Cotswold town bar plans to open late
A Stroud bar owner is pushing to extend its opening hours past 11pm to 1am, but he faces objections from residents who fear 'a late night party venue' in the making.
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A Cotswold town bar wants permission to stay open into the small hours of the morning at weekends.
Holy Water, in Stroud, was granted a licence to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises at 11 Lansdown seven days a week in October 2024
Now its founder Adam McVay wants permission to extend the opening hours from 11pm until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The current licence allows the sale of alcohol and for recorded music to be played until 11pm.
But We are Holy Water will be able to serve booze and play music until 1am on those two days, if the variation submitted to Stroud District Council is approved.
The latest proposals also include allowing people to drink in the garden to the rear.
However, this area will be closed to members of the public at 10pm.
People who live along Lansdown in Stroud raised concerns over the initial plans for a new bar to open in the street last year.
Several residents feared at the time the venue would become a late night party venue where drinkers would gather after the town’s pubs close.
One of the objectors said ahead of the approval of the initial premises licence that loud drunken revellers were already making their lives a misery.
They said at the time they have to put up with them running on car rooftops and throwing empty pizza boxes into their gardens.
But McVay told the licensing hearing on October 21 that it was not his intention to create such a venue and he was happy to close at 11pm.
He explained the prime purpose of the application is for him to be able to sell alcohol at what would be the headquarters of his events company.
People wishing to comment on the proposals have until Wednesday next week (June 11).
They can do so by writing to the licensing section of environmental health at Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4UB.
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com