Chelmsford bar allowed to stay open later but must try to keep noise down

A Chelmsford bar has been given permission to extend its closing time by an hour - and has said it will work to reduce noise from customers leaving the premises. The Bassment, in Wells Street, will be allowed to open until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, Chelmsford City Council's licensing committee heard no complaints had been made directly to the venue or the council about noise concerns, and the extra hour would not attract extra people. It heard that, if anything, some customers would just stay longer, thereby aiding dispersal.

However, the committee did hear from a member of the public at the meeting who had objected to the application around concerns of noise from patrons exiting the venue at closing time and felt that the additional hour would make this issue worse. They also confirmed they had not complained previously and highlighted that the bench across the road from the venue in Townfield Street, opposite the Royal Steamer public house, was often used after the venue closed, leading to noise issues.

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The committee has resolved to grant the application in conjunction with the understanding the bar will provide a member of the door staff to be positioned near the bench to move people along. A statement said: “The committee was bound to take into account that the venue already has and is operating under a premises licence (“the existing licence”).

“Whilst the application before the committee is for a new licence, the reality is that the main difference between the existing licence and the one now sought is that the applicant wishes to be able to continue with licensable activities over the weekend (Fridays and Saturdays) to 5am.

The existing licence requires licensable activities to cease by 4am (4.30 am in the case of late-night refreshment). No complaints had been made directly to the venue or the council about noise nuisance when the venue had been operating under the existing licence.

“Furthermore, in the course of the hearing the applicant has maintained as a general rule the additional permitted hour (i.e. to 5am) would not attract extra patrons. Instead, it would result in some of the patrons who were already on the premises staying longer, thereby facilitating a staggered dispersal. The committee was of the view that this was correct.”