Council bosses have given their backing to a new bar in Heaton, after dismissing concerns that it could turn the area into a “new Osborne Road”.
Flight Bar, on Heaton Road, has prevailed in a dispute over the venue’s licence which saw one local complain that it risked paving the way for a replica of Jesmond’s well-known drinking hotspot. After a hearing last week, Newcastle City Council has agreed to let the high-end bar extend its opening hours until 11.30pm and no longer require it to offer “substantial” food alongside its drinks menu.
Jack Brown, one of Flight co-owners, said: “We are relieved and over the moon to be able to have that bit of flexibility. We always set out to be a bar and we did not shy away from saying that.
Read More: Bosses defend Newcastle's Flight Bar amid claim of creating 'another Osborne Road' in Heaton
"We did not think that the comments about being a “new Osborne Road” were right, that is not what we are trying to achieve.”
Flight, which opened late last year, is run by the team behind acclaimed Chillingham Road restaurant Nest, who also have hopes of opening a new bistro nearby too.
Local resident Hamish Moore had claimed at last Tuesday’s licensing sub-committee meeting that Flight is already “in effect a pub” and risked being a source of crime and noise nuisance in a residential part of Heaton, warning it could “fundamentally change the fabric” of the area. Meanwhile, local authority officials have also argued that Flight is operating without the proper planning permission for a bar.
However, Northumbria Police dropped its objections to the venue’s proposals after agreeing to a set of conditions on its licence. In a statement published by the council, the licensing sub-committee said it was “satisfied” that approving Flight’s plans would not undermine the city’s licensing objectives.
It added: “ Committee noted the combined experience of the owners and their successful operation of a further premises, Nest on Chillingham Road. Also, they noted the style of premises which the owners intended to operate, described by the applicant as “high-end boutique”.
“It was also noted the premises subject to this application currently held a premises licence and had been operating for two months without any formal complaint or issue. Committee noted the concerns outlined by Mr Moore, particularly in relation to issues regarding crime and disorder in the locality.
“However, Committee also noted that the Applicant had engaged in discussions with Northumbria Police, a Responsible Authority, and following such discussions had agreed several additional conditions which resulted in a withdrawal of Northumbria Police’s representation against the application.”
Read More:
- 'We are getting no help at all': South Tyneside taxi drivers' anger over Newcastle Clean Air Zone
- Crucial court verdict awaited in battle over controversial Newcastle Quayside apartment block
- Plea for people to have say on Gateshead leisure centre closure plans – even if your site not at high risk
- Grainger Market roof restoration finally finished as traders promised scaffolding will disappear in weeks
- 'Important for the community, important for the children' – Pleas to save Birtley Swimming Centre from axe
