Twenty Two bar New Street: residents fear Bank Holiday noise

Twenty Two in New Street in Worcester is now open and elderly residents of neighbouring almshouses said the noise is even worse at weekends and bank holidays with their homes right next to the bar's beer garden.

However, an important 'compromise' with the applicants was reached at a licensing meeting this week. The original variation application had been to open 7am to 3am every day - now it will be open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

As previously reported, the new bar's garden is only an umbrella's width away from Nash's and Wyatt's Almshouses where there are 27 flats, owned and managed by Worcester Municipal Charities.

HISTORIC: Nash's and Wyatt's Almshouses have been affected by noise from Twenty Two, the new bar in Worcester's New Street (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The application was discussed at the licensing subcommittee meeting at Worcester Guildhall on May 22 when chair, Cllr Andrew Cross, said the new bar's place within the 'cumulative impact zone' where there are already a number of other bars made the location 'particularly sensitive'.

APPLICANTS: The Twenty Two in New Street's application was amended from a 3pm to a 2pm Friday and Saturday opening - pictured are the applicants at the licensing sub-committee meeting (Image: Worcester City Council via Youtube)

As part of the conditions, the garden must be closed at midnight (except Sundays when it must close at 11.30pm); there must be no music in the garden from 11pm onwards on any day; the applicant must adhere to police conditions and signs must be put up warning customers to be quiet outside the bar. Later opening on bank holidays did not form part of the application and would have to be covered by a temporary events notice.

OPEN: Twenty Two in New Street, Worcester, pictured on the day the bar opened (April 26) (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The bar will be open until midnight on Thursdays and until 10pm on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The applicant, who spoke at the meeting, was asked if there had been complaints about noise and antisocial behaviour. He said: "The easy answer is no, we haven't had any complaints."

Julie Clayton, the warden, said after the meeting: "The noise on a weekend and bank holiday is horrendous. The outside part which is close to our residents' flats is awful on these nights regarding the music and people in the garden."

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Meanwhile, Cllr Adam Scott, who had spoken to residents before he was elected as Labour councillor for Worcester City Council, said: "I hope a balance can be found between residential amenity and Worcester's thriving nighttime economy."

Cllr Lynn Denham, leader of Worcester City Council, raised objections to the application on April 5 and also spoke at the meeting.

In her written representations, she said: "There has been no recognition by the business of its location or consideration of the potential impact on others. There are already a number of late night bars within walking distance of 15 New Street, including on the same road towards the Cornmarket.

Cllr Denham also asked about prevention measures including where will the CCTV cameras be installed and whether the privacy of neighbouring residents has been considered.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “The City Council has received no formal noise complaints against TwentyTwo in New Street.

“The City Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee met this week when a variation of licence was agreed for the premises permitting the sale of alcohol until midnight on Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Friday and Saturdays.

“The garden is to be closed at midnight every day, except Sunday when it must close at 11.30pm. No music is to be played in the garden after 11pm.”