SOUTH Wales Police have objected to the request of three temporary event notices in January, for the extension of opening hours at a town centre bar in Bridgend.
The temporary events would see the opening hours of popular Bar 35, based on 35 Market Street, extended until 4.30am over the last few weekends of January, along with the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment continuing until 4am.
At a meeting, members of the council’s licensing committee heard how South Wales Police had opposed the plans from owners, describing a number of incidents linked to the neighbouring Eden nightclub, which was said to be run by the same owners as Bar 35.
They also noted how Eden had recently had its licence brought in for review by the local council in October of 2023, after what was described as issues in providing South Wales Police with CCTV footage.
However, a solicitor speaking on behalf of the owners of Bar 35 said that the two premises were considered as separate, with a completely different set of licences and staff operating across the two buildings, and argued that any incidents in the nightclub next door were not relevant in the granting of licences for Bar 35.
Though a representative speaking on behalf of South Wales Police said due to its proximity it was “impossible to differentiate between the two premises,” adding how they did not have confidence that the licensing objectives would be upheld.
A decision on the three applications will now be given from the Bridgend licensing committee over the course of the coming days and could either see the temporary licenses granted, granted with certain conditions, or denied.
