The Slug and Lettuce have applied to extend the hours of use of their rear garden terrace.
This application is typical of a pattern of planning and licencing applications from premises in the area seeking to extend their operation beyond the scope of their present permissions. Each of these applications whatever its immediate effect on the premises concerned is having a detrimental cumulative effect on an area which is a recognised hot spot for drink fuelled noise and anti-social behaviour.
George Street is at the heart of a conservation area and is home to a considerable number of residents. Noise and nuisance generated in George street impacts a number of other residential areas.
Noise generated by outside drinking areas is inevitably more intrusive and difficult to manage and control. Noise generated behind buildings in George Street inevitably widens the footprint of the area of people affected.
The applicants may well have a policy of running these premises as a food based establishment with a broadly based clientele. They may even be successful at achieving their aim in the daytime and even in the early evening. However, at night this is just another vertical drinking venue attracting the predominantly youthful crowd drawn by the areas nightclubs.