A new eatery taking over the old Nutters restaurant site in Norden will be able to serve booze until 1am at weekends.
The historic Wolstenholme Hall site will be brought back to life as an Albert’s restaurant, after gaining planning approval earlier this year. But the well-known chain sparked some backlash locally, after originally applying for a 3am alcohol licence.
Objections triggered a licensing hearing on April 7, which led Elle R Leisure – the company behind Albert’s and Dukes 92, to make some concessions.
Objectors Steve Davison and Nigel Morrell, who live next to the planned Edenfield Road site, explained this area is within the greenbelt and in close proximity to a number of homes and farms.
After airing previous noise issues they had with Nutters restaurant to the licensing sub-committee, the pair shared their concerns about loud music keeping them up at night; the noise impact on wildlife and farm animals in the area; and the potential for punters causing a disturbance when leaving in the early hours.
Ward councillor for Norden, James Gartside, added: “Noise nuisance is the main concern here. I would be happy if the whole place would agree to be empty by 1am.”
Coun Gartside’s closure time was echoed by Mr Davison and Mr Morrell, who also wanted no noise after 11pm. They believed an earlier closing time of the outside terrace could help ensure that.
Speaking at the licensing hearing in council HQ, James Ramsbottom, managing director at Elle R Leisure, highlighted Albert’s is ‘not a rowdy pub’, but a family-run business. He mentioned that he had no intention to open until 3am but simply kept the same time that was on the previous licence held by Nutters Restaurant.
Mr Ramsbottom told the meeting at Number One Riverside: “I don’t want to run a business that is keeping neighbours up at night. We are about high quality outside areas, it is a key part of what we do.
“This is a £4.2m investment creating 80 jobs, which doesn’t include purchasing the site, on a building that has been left derelict for three and a half years. It will take a lot to bring back.
“Closing the outside area down by 8pm might not seem contentious, but it is contentious for me. This outdoor view is why we purchased the site, because of the views outside – that is our unique selling point.”
He went on to say he would close by 10.30pm on weekdays, but has the licence extending until midnight so they can host weddings and other functions. He also agreed to include any noise limiters the sub-committee deemed necessary.
The sub-committee, chaired by Coun Phil Burke, granted the licence. The restaurant will be allowed to serve alcohol and play indoor music until 1am on weekends and until midnight on weekdays, with closing times being 30 minutes later.
The outside terrace would need to be shut down by 10.30pm, Coun Burke confirmed.
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