The next steps for a nightclub seeking to stay open as late as 2.30am in Bracknell town centre have been revealed.
Musica Groups Ltd wants to open a music venue and bar in the former TGI Fridays in the Lexicon Shopping Centre.
The site, at 6F Eagle Lane, is surrounded by other restaurants and bars – but has many residential properties sitting above it.
Business owners are facing a licensing panel at Bracknell Forest Council, which will decide whether a new premises licence can be granted.
It would stay open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, 1.30am on Thursdays and 12.30am on Sundays to Wednesdays.
Mr Karim Saykali wants to play live music, recorded music, provide late-night refreshment and serve alcohol until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
While the same would be provided until 12am on Sundays to Wednesdays and until 1am on a Thursday.
But more than 20 neighbours have objected to the plans, arguing that the noise would cause public nuisance and the sale of alcohol could promote anti-social behaviour.
One Eagle House resident wrote: “The unpredictable nature of live music, combined with noise from patrons arriving and departing late at night, will create an environment where restful sleep is impossible.
“The current application represents a fundamental and detrimental change in the character of this location, shifting it from a quiet, residential-compatible use to a late-night entertainment venue with a high risk of public nuisance.”
Another expressed worries that their property, next to a nightclub, would ‘decrease in value’ and make them ‘more difficult to sell’.
“The homeowners at Eagle House cannot afford to take even further financial hits like this,” they wrote, “and some (like me) will likely be unable to move away from the noise if they wished to, as it is almost impossible to sell property here as it is.”
Business owners have drawn up conditions for the licence with both Thames Valley Police and Environmental Health.
This includes digitally recorded CCTV, which will cover the whole premises. It will be made available to Bracknell Forest Council and Thames Valley Police on request.
All staff members will be trained in serving alcohol, including using the Challenge 25 policy and Ask for Angela scheme.
External doors and windows will also be kept closed, other than when being used to access, when amplified music is being played.
The music system will be set so the maximum volume cannot be overridden by staff.
Environmental Health have set out the maximum volume levels the music can reach.
Bracknell Forest Council’s Licensing panel will make a final decision on June 26.
