Story by Jonathan Sutton

A controversial licence has been granted following a licensing hearing at Cheshire East Council . The meeting took place on the 26th September regarding The Vault, 19 Crewe Road, Alsager.

The meeting which was due to start at 2pm started 30 minutes late due to a last minute submission of evidence which the committee needed to consider. The Vault sought a premises licence from Cheshire East Council which would enable them to sell alcohol and play music. 

Before the meeting started, clarification was sought as to whether the meeting should go ahead as the premises did not have planning permission for the courtyard area. The applicant is currently seeking retroactive permission and working with the council to ensure it is planning compliant. 

Opening his case Ian Donaldson, the landlord at The Vault said: "I am personally heavily invested in Alsager town, as an individual both as a residential and commercial property landlord. The value of properties in Alsager matter a lot to me as does the upkeep of properties.

"A huge investment has gone into this building, both internally and externally upstairs. Not to facilitate this business but to facilitate the existing business that is on the first floor

"The car park at the rear of the property is not for customers and only ever used for staff"

He continued that that is on the first floor

"I think what we are trying to do here is facilitate an environment, it's a restaurant more than a bar, it's not a kick out all at the same time like other public houses, it's there for the higher end of clientele, it's the earliest bar that's closing in the village. It's mainly for families and adults to use as an eatery."

Brad Lancaster, the bar manager at The Vault said: "I think there has been a misleading with what we are trying to achieve at these premises. I think some people have an understanding it's going to be a late night drinking bar which is not what we are trying to do.

"We just want to work with our neighbours and local businesses so we're all on the same page"

The main concerns raised from the licensing application were the use of the unadopted road and the potential to block access to other shops and how loud the music would be.

Sue Helliwell, who objected to the licence granted, raised the issue of protection of females in light of advertising The Vault issued.

She said "I don't know who did your advertising, I don't want to be too critical of them. I was a clubber in the 80's, I have children and it sent alarm bells through females in Alsager. I don't want to say demographically but there was a picture of a female looking a little bit worse of wear coming out of that premises.

"I know legally if someone is drunk they should not be able to carry on serving them alcohol but what protection have you got for females for their drinks being spiked?"

She continued "that picture was quite graphic of a woman who looked like she has been dragged through a hedge backwards".

The applicant apologised if the advertising came across like that and said they took inspiration from similar restaurants who "eateries with really good music". In regard to protection of females they would work with local partners to put a stop to it but does not expect it to be an issue.

Cllr Akers Smith (ind) while asking clarification questions said "it's wonderful that you're investing in Alsager"

Chris Morgan who also opposed the licence summed up his feeling about the case saying "I think my objections and my disappointment today is that it has been vague on facts and high in promises." 

It was disclosed that the restaurant will be table service only, that there will be no speakers in the courtyard area and measures are in place to stop noise from emitting from the site boundary. 

No objections were raised by responsible authorities such as police or the council's Environmental Health department to the proposed licence.

At the end of the meeting Sue Helliwell  commented "if the licence is granted I will welcome them to Alsager"

The decision to grant the licence was based on several conditions. That music will only be played between 12 pm and midnight Thursday to Saturday however on Sundays this would stop at 11 pm. 

Recorded music will be played at background noise level through built-in speakers which will be controlled by a decibel limiter and that the outside courtyard area will not have a speaker

Additionally, alcohol will only be sold between 12 pm and 11.30 pm Thursday through Saturday with Sunday alcohol sales stopping at 10 pm.

These conditions are broadly what the applicant applied for in their application.