Opening hours of Harpenden bar slashed after licence review

The opening hours of a new Harpenden bar have been slashed following a licence review by the district council. The body's Licensing Sub-Committee has issued its decision notice after a meeting held over concerns for The Perch at 5 Station Road. Previously, the applicant aimed to open the premises between midday and 1.30am Monday to Thursday, midday and 2am on Friday and Saturday, and midday and 12.30am on Sunday. Documents attached to the decision detail that The Perch will now close at midnight between Monday and Thursday, until 1am on Friday and Saturday and midnight on Sunday. This aligns with 22 representations made by the public highlighting that no other restaurant, bar or venue on Station Road is licenced to sell alcohol beyond midnight and only two in Harpenden open until 2am. Others were concerned about noise implications particularly for those in flats above and neighbouring the bar as alcohol sales late into the night may create anti-social behaviour. This is addressed in further conditions, namely that a noise limiter must be fitted to the musical amplification system set at a level determined by Environmental Health Officer. To deter noise further, notices asking customers and delivery drivers to respect surrounding residents will be erected, and no glass waste must be emptied from the premises between 11pm and 6am. A qualified SIA door supervisor must also be present at the bar from 9pm onwards everyday to ensure the quiet dispersal of customers. The licence for The Perch in Harpenden is under review. (Image: Submitted) The committee praised the The Perch's cooperation throughout the process. A statement in the decision notice reads: "The committee was happy to accept the applicant's proposal of a noise limiter and noise-check records, as set out in the conditions above and the further condition of a suitably qualified door supervisor suggested by the applicant. "The committee also noted the concerns of councillors and many residents about the suitability of the premise for this activity. In particular, the objective of preventing public nuisance through noise and disturbance to residents from music or customers around the premises and noise from departing premises at anti-social hours." During the meeting, the applicant highlighted several licensed premises nearby as examples of licences activity in the area. "Accordingly, the committee considered that the appropriate alcohol sale and opening hours should be as set out above, which takes account of the applicant's desire to show flexibility and be supportive of the community," the report continues. "With regard to the live music element of the application, the committee welcomed and adopted the applicant's suggestion to limit hours of live music until 11pm." A CCTV system comprised of a multi camera system must also be installed at the premises made available in reasonable time on demand by the police or authorised officers of the Licensing Authority. This is accompanied by a refusals and incident log that shall be maintained for at least 12 months, detailing any crime and disorder that occurs at the premises. The log includes seizures of drugs, weapons, fraudulent IDs and ejections from the premises, among many other details.