A shisha bar in Cardiff has had its application to serve alcohol until 1.30am every day granted. Cardiff Council granted Conspiracy Lounge shisha bar on City Road a licence to sell alcohol on its premises between the hours of 12pm and 1.30am from Monday to Sunday.
The shisha bar already has a premises licence which permits regulated entertainment in the form of recorded music indoors between 12pm and 11pm every day of the week and late night refreshment. A number of concerns were raised by one resident claiming to be a neighbour of Conspiracy. The resident said that they had previously expressed concern about the level of noise at Conspiracy.
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Noise coming from the premises on summer evenings would reportedly make sleep at the rear of the resident's house "virtually impossible". In their representation, attached to the Licensing Sub Committee report, the resident said: "Now that Conspiracy has applied for an alcohol licence until 1.30am every day [in] the week, we are extremely concerned that the anti social atmosphere created by the noise and sale of alcohol will make our day to day lives unpleasant."
The resident also expressed concerns over the potential level of parking and littering on their street. Following a Noise Assessment for Licensing produced by inacousitc in September 2021, it was concluded that a number of noise limiters should be incorporated into a Noise Management Plan to ensure that neighbouring properties aren't affected by the proposed licensing application.
Martin Jones of Hugh James Solicitors, who was representing the applicant, noted at the Licensing Sub Committee meeting on Friday May 27 that parking and litter were not issues related to licensing. However, he reassured those with concerns that Conspiracy Lounge has secured the car park of the car wash opposite the premises for use in the evenings, between the hours of 6pm and 1am, creating almost 60 spaces.
Mr Jones added that Conspiracy Lounge will not allow food to be brought in or out and that customers will not be permitted to leave the premises with a drink bought there. The licence was granted subject to additional conditions proposed by South Wales Police, including:
- A minimum of two door supervisors at the premises when a live sports event is screened and when a pre-arranged event or function takes place on site
- No dance floor to be available at the premises
- all staff involved in the sale of alcohol shall be trained to record refusals of sales of alcohol in a refusals log (whether written or electronic)
- No under-18s permitted in the premises after 9pm
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