Bar in Merthyr Tydfil Seeks Extended Hours and Alcohol Sales License

A bar in Merthyr Tydfil wants to extend the hours it can open, sell alcohol, and play music on some days.
An application to vary the premises licence of The Celtic Bar in Dynevor Street has been made and will be considered by the council’s statutory licensing committee on Wednesday, April 24.
The application is for the sale of alcohol on the premises and live and recorded music indoors to be allowed until 2am from Thursday to Saturday.
The application for the opening hours is for up to 2.15am from Thursday to Saturday.
The application also proposes adding a number of conditions to the licence and these are related to CCTV, an incident log, door staff, staff training around asking for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25, a refusals register, plastic or non-glass receptacles, and a zero-tolerance policy on drugs.
The premises licence for this venue has been in place since November 2005 and the premises licence-holder and DPS (designated premises supervisor) has been Granville Thomas since it was first issued.
There has been one complaint received by the licensing department in relation to this premises in April 2022 as a result of litter outside the venue but appropriate advice was provided to the business.
Councillor Louise Minett-Vokes, who represents Park ward on the council, has objected to the application.
She said it has been reported that the night-time economy in the area is contributing to anti-social behaviour very late at night and into the early hours.
She said this application was going to contribute to the volume of
people accessing the night-time economy in the area, especially at “stop tap” and when customers are expected to leave.
She said: “This is going to contribute to some of the disorder that local residents are facing with the existing licence conditions of surrounding
establishments.”
Cllr Minett-Vokes added:  “Residents have reported late at night activity of intoxicated people walking around, which is concerning especially if you are an elderly person living alone.
“These are currently a cause for concern for the surrounding residents and adding to the current problem is not in the public interest.
“Allowing this licence application will only exacerbate the problems further.
“The area has changed and the balance of what is currently there strongly needs to be considered.
“We have a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and I would urge that this application is declined.”
But in his written submission Mr Thomas said he had been the owner and licence-holder of The Celtic Bar in Georgetown, Merthyr Tydfil, for the
past 25 years.
He said his record regarding overall control of the licensed premises was fully, to the best of his knowledge and belief, acknowledged to be first-class and he would like to think also is recognised as such by South Wales Police and throughout the borough at large .
He said the premises was operated with a zero-tolerance policy towards client misbehaviour and complies with police requirements which he said are “above and beyond the norm”.
He mentioned examples such as attending Pubwatch meetings and endorsing any suggestions and improvements for the overall betterment of the efficient running of licensed premises in general and in particular his own.
Mr Thomas mentioned placing “quiet” notices on exits to “ensure and respect quiet enjoyment in surrounding areas”.
He mentioned the use of plastic glasses by choice inside and out of the premises and that a Think 21 policy has been in place for some 10 years.
He said it was their aim to work with South Wales Police to ensure the safety of customers adopting specifically the suggested and recommended Ask Angela policy.
Mr Thomas said: “I respectfully ask for a level playing field in respect of this application which the track record of the premises fully deserves.
“A precedent has been set by myself and has continued I am pleased to say by Mr’O Sullivan who has also satisfied the required standards for the past 10 years.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​