Late-night vibes just got an extra hour in Southampton! One bar successfully pushed to stay open until 1 AM, but not everyone in Latimer Street is cheering. Is it a win for local business or a loss for peaceful sleep? What do you think about extending nightlife hours in residential areas?

A contentious decision in Southampton has granted a local establishment, Genco Restaurant & Bar Ltd, an additional hour on its operating licence, allowing it to remain open until 1 AM. This development has ignited a local debate, pitting the aspirations of businesses seeking economic growth against the residential concerns of nearby communities regarding peace and quiet.

The proposal, put forth by Genco Restaurant & Bar Ltd, was presented before city councillors with a clear objective: to secure an extended trading period. The applicant argued that the ability to operate for an extra hour would not only significantly “enhance” their business model but also contribute to its long-term “sustainability” within Southampton’s competitive night-time economy. This move reflects a broader trend among hospitality venues to extend hours.

However, the application did not proceed without significant opposition. Two residents residing in Latimer Street, a residential area adjacent to the bar, formally lodged objections, highlighting the potential adverse impact on their quality of life. Their concerns underscored the delicate balance required between vibrant urban nightlife and the tranquility of residential living.

One of the most vocal opponents, Mr. Beavan, delivered powerful testimony at the sub-committee meeting, describing how late-night operations, particularly those with “unbelievably loud” music, could render life “intolerable” for residents. He characterized the situation as an “arms race of prolonged opening,” where businesses constantly seek marginal gains, often at the expense of community well-being and established local licensing laws.

In response, Chris Lucan of the Licensing Guys, representing the applicant, emphasized that the requested extension was not an anomaly but rather consistent with “standard operating hours” prevalent among similar premises in areas like Oxford Street and across high streets nationwide. This argument aimed to normalize the request within the broader context of the national hospitality sector.

Crucially, Genco Restaurant & Bar Ltd had recently achieved a significant victory in an appeal against the city council. This successful appeal secured crucial planning permission for the establishment to operate from 8 AM to 1 AM for a two-year period, effectively setting a precedent for their current licensing application and reinforcing their case for extended hours.

It was also revealed that a previous operator of the premises had voluntarily reduced closing time by an hour, specifically to avoid the council’s late-night levy – a charge imposed on venues operating beyond certain hours. The current applicant’s request, therefore, was to reclaim this lost hour, aligning their operational hours with the recently granted planning permission.

Adding weight to the applicant’s case, it was noted that the police had already agreed to specific conditions regarding the licence variation. Furthermore, no objections had been raised by any of the other responsible authorities involved in the licensing process, suggesting a degree of official endorsement for the proposed changes, despite the ongoing residential objections.