Neighbours Fear Noise and Chaos as Hove Museum Seeks to Extend Alcohol Licence

Strategic Insights -

Residents in the surrounding area of Hove Museum in New Church Road, Brighton, are worried that the museum's application to extend its alcohol licence will lead to increased noise, public drinking, and potentially even outdoor events such as weddings. The museum's current licence restricts late-night alcohol sales until 11pm to 24 times a year, but the trust is seeking to remove this restriction and extend café alcohol sales to an outside area from 10am to 6pm.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust is seeking to extend the Hove Museum's alcohol licence, removing the restriction on late-night sales until 11pm and allowing for café alcohol sales in an outside area.
  • Neighbours are concerned that the museum could become a noisy bar, with potential for live music, plays, and recorded music indoors and outdoors.
  • Resident Julia Hamblin expressed concerns that the museum café extending into the grounds is already creating a nuisance, and that the new licence could lead to a loud bar atmosphere.
  • Resident Martin Davis is concerned about the potential for weddings and live performances at the museum, with no control over what may happen in the future.
  • The museum's current licence was only granted in 2013, and neighbours were not aware that the café had an alcohol licence.
  • The museum's visitor experience manager, Shaun Doyle, stated that there are no plans to operate as a bar, introduce weddings, or have performances of plays or music outdoors.
  • The museum receives over 41,000 visitors per year, with only three or four events taking place outside in the past two years.

Statistics:

  • The museum's current licence restricts late-night alcohol sales until 11pm to 24 times a year.
  • The museum's café is currently open from 10am to 5pm, Thursday to Monday, and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • The new licence would allow for café alcohol sales in an outside area from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week.
  • The museum held 15 ticketed "museum lates" in the past year, where food and drink was provided for sale.
  • The museum's seating capacity is 60, with an option for 120 standing events.

Sources:

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  • Objection letters from residents Julia Hamblin and Martin Davis
  • Statement from Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust visitor experience manager Shaun Doyle