Pub owner given permission to host live music and late-night drinks at Gunthorpe venue by Newark and Sherwood District Council after addressing resident concerns

A pub company has been given permission to host live music and late-night drinks at a new venue in a Nottinghamshire village after addressing the majority of concerns raised by the police and residents.

The Reddington Pub Company is currently renovating the Anchor in Main Street, Gunthorpe, alongside the Tom Browns restaurant next door.

During a licensing hearing at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Castle House HQ today (April 8), the company’s application for a licence was approved.

Damian Wilkins, environmental health and licensing manager at the council, said a number of objections had been raised during a consultation period, including one from Nottinghamshire Police and another from Environmental Health.

The applicant consequently agreed to a reduction in the opening hours, and a reduction to the hours in which licensable activities are permitted.

It had initially been hoping to get a licence allowing it to stay open until 2.30am Monday to Sunday, with live and recorded music and the sale of alcohol until 2am.

This could have been extended by a further hour on Bank Holidays.

The new opening hours will now be from 11am until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday, and 11am to 1.30am Friday and Saturday.

Permitted regulated entertainment will be up until 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday, and 12.30am Friday and Saturday, while late-night refreshment has been changed to the hours of 11pm to midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 11pm to 1am Friday and Saturday.

Mr Wilkins said two residents living at the same property opposite the site, who had objected, still felt the hours were “inappropriate”.

George Domleo, representing the applicant, described the Reddington Pub Company as “responsible”.

“Our clients are in the process of spending in excess of £1m on refurbishing the site, which will open in May alongside the Tom Browns restaurant next door,” he said.

“As a part of The Anchor reopening, our client will employ in excess of 30 members of staff, and obviously that can only be good for the community.

“In terms of the application itself we have reduced the operating hours in agreement Environmental Health and Notts Police. It is considered a sensible and considered application.”

The hearing was informed Paul Sissons, another resident of the village, had chosen to withdraw his objection when informed of the changes.

Extended opening hours on Bank Holidays have also been removed from the licence.

Debbie Darby, a member of the hearing panel, said: “Will any staff be employed to man the doors in the evenings?”

Mr Domleo said: “There won’t be SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence for door staff. But there will be a manager on duty to make sure customers leave responsibly.”

The Reddington Pub Company also owns the Old Vol in Caythorpe and The Reindeer in Hoveringham.

During the hearing, the licensing panel was told the Old Vol had issues in 2022 and 2023 relating to outdoor entertainment, however these problems have since been resolved.

A meeting with residents at the village hall was also held on March 4 this year, during which concerns were discussed.

Mr Domleo added: “They are good operators. They are spending a fortune in a village to restore two premises which can only be good for the community, employing 30 to 40 members of staff.”

In making a decision, the panel said it was positive the applicant had worked within the community to listen to concerns, and resolve them.

Both the Anchor and Tom Browns are expected to open in May.