Noise concerns if 2am licence granted for new function room at Portsmouth hotel
and live on Freeview channel 276
A decision on the licence application for a basement bar and events room - to be called the Nut Bar - at the Keppel's Head at The Hard, Portsmouth, was due at a city council meeting this week.
As part of the licence, hotel managers have asked for permission to operate the bar, which will only be used as a private hire room for parties and events, and play live music from 11am until 2am every day.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut neighbours of the hotel have concerns. In a letter of objection Nigel Powell, who lives directly next door, said: 'There are often evenings when there is a lot of noise generated by people who have gone outside to smoke and drink.
'This isn't an issue as we know that the venues close at 11pm and then things to quieten down. Allowing this to go on later would be invasive.'
Queen Alexandra Hospital doctor Debra Robson, who also lives next to the hotel, agreed. She said: ‘With a licence until 2am the hotel will be the end point of the night for many and focus potential violence and trouble right next to my front door.'
The hotel recently came under scrutiny a 15-year-old test was sold alcohol in its existing bar, Nelson's Bar, in a police test purchase.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut Tring Lim, one of the hotel's managers, said: ‘That happened at a weekend when it was really busy and a member of staff who doesn't usually work on the bars helped out. We put our hands up and admitted mistakes were made.
‘On the most recent test we all passed because we took notice of what happened.’
She also addressed the concerns about noise. ‘The Nut Bar will not be open to the public,’ she said.
‘It will only be hired out for private functions like birthdays and weddings. It has recently been renovated and has had sound protection put in to stop noise.’
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA decision on the licence was due at a committee meeting on April 23. However, it is set to be adjourned due to coronavirus.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.