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A licensing hearing is to be held following concerns from police and local authority chiefs over a late night venue wanting to play music and serve alcohol until 4am. An application has been
submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council's licensing department for The Tipsy Doorman at 56 Church Street. The venue is "a late night bar with a kitchen and private function
facilities", according to the proposals. It previously benefited from a premises licence held by a limited liability company, however that organisation was dissolved, leading to the
licence for the site lapsing. An application for a new premises licence was therefore submitted by Stuart John Mark Espin seeking to allow the site to sell alcohol from 10am until 4am each
day. It would also secure them permission to have live and recorded music, dancers and late night refreshment, which includes hot food and drinks, during these hours. The application is
having to go before the local authority's licensing sub-committee on Friday (February 14) for a decision after concerns were raised by Cleveland Police and council departments. A
representation from PC Clare Lawton notes the night time economy area "already suffers from high levels of crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour." She states: "Cleveland
Police believe that allowing the sale of alcohol as set out in the application would only add to the existing problems that this location experiences." However she adds if the hours
were shortened to 10am to 2am, and conditions are agreed, "Cleveland Police feel the licence can be prescriptive enough to ensure it is run as effectively and safely as possible."
A response from Zoe Craig, council environmental health manager, notes her objection "is not to the application itself" but to the applicant's "unwillingness to agree to
the 2am closing time." She added: "The establishment has previously been the subject of noise complaints from nearby residents." Meanwhile the council's statement of
licensing policy notes "in non-residential areas applications for licences to allow the sale of alcohol or the supply of late night refreshment beyond 2am will normally be
refused." The application notes to prevent issues occurring staff will receive training "at least annually", while accredited door supervisors will be in place, along with
thorough CCTV and an incident log. It adds the business will "respect neighbouring properties", while it is noted the previous licence also covered from 10am until 4am. JOIN
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