The go-ahead has been given for a new late-night karaoke bar in Middle Street despite vocal opposition from residents.
Nine Rooms Karaoke’s application for a licence was yesterday granted by Brighton and Hove City Council’s licencing committee.
It can open from 3.30am from Monday to Friday, 4am on Saturday and 12 midnight on Sunday, and serve alcohol until an hour before closing time each night.
Green councillor Jason Kitcat spoke against the plans at the meeting. Speaking on Twitter after the application was granted, he said: “Very disappointed to report that a new license was just granted for a karaoke bar in Middle St. Heart of the cumulative impact area.
“All the panel did in response to strong objections from residents, Police Chief Superintendent and me was to knock 30 minutes off the licensed hours.
“As many said we’d welcome the venue elsewhere in the city with open arms. But not in Middle St with so much alcohol fuelled violence and noise.”
The committee received representations from five local residents, a residents’ association and Brighton police expressing concerns about crime, nuisance and protecting children from harm.
The city centre cumulative impact area was designated as it already has a high concentration of premises serving alcohol.
It allows councillors to take in the impact on the area of increasing the number of licensed premises. However, an application to sell alcohol by Tesco in St James’s Road turned down under these powers was later overturned on appeal.
