Residents Voice Concerns Over New Trendy Bar In Newport

Some residents in Newport have voiced their concerns about the planned opening of a new bar, in the former Pizza Express building.

Now the plans for Wyld, on the junction of Town Lane and Pyle Street, will go before the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing sub-committee after neighbours complained it was not suitable for a residential area.

One neighbour said:

“We are not killjoys and were young once but these hours are surely not suitable with so many residents in the flats. Quite frankly we are worried sick.”

Wyld has submitted a new premises licence application for a restaurant/cafe/bar but its initial plans have been modified following residents’ feedback.

Signs on the building, on Pyle Street, say it will be ‘the sassiest and most instagramable cafe’, opening in September.

In licensing documents, applicants Wyld Bars says its target customer is a young, working female professional who loves to eat, drink and socialise with friends while using social media to publish moments of their day-to-day life.

The former pizza restaurant is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment and will include the installation of new seating booths, a full paint inside and outside as well as general maintenance.

It will create 30 new jobs, Wyld Bars say, as well as making the town centre more appealing to young people.

In its application, Wyld is asking to play films, live and recorded music, as well as host dance performances, supplying alcohol and late night refreshment.

It has asked to provide the entertainment and alcohol from 11am to 12.01am Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 11pm on Sundays. Recorded music is asked to be permitted for 30 minutes longer.

The hours asked for, Wyld say, will also have a drink up time of 30 minutes after alcohol sales finish at midnight.

Residents in the flats above and in the Savoy Court opposite are not happy with the proposals.

One resident said even though they had received a leaflet from Wyld saying how it would limit the noise, the real nuisance came from outside the venue with smokers, or when people left the venue late at night under the influence.

They said it is accepted a level of night-time disturbance is expected living in the town centre but “the granting of this licence has real potential to accelerate this a level far beyond [what is acceptable].”

However, in a response to the comments, Wyld said the operating hours have been carefully crafted to ensure a gradual dispersal of patrons and despite the licensing hours, it is proposed to close at 11pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The council’s Environmental Health officials said the objective for the prevention of public nuisance may be compromised by the proposed activities and have objected until a second set of doors are installed to prevent noise escaping.

Wyld has said it is intending to do the work, but it cannot be done immediately.

In the licensing report, council officers reminded the committee individuals are responsible for their own behaviour once they leave the immediate vicinity.

It has been recommended the licence be granted by the committee, subject to any additional modifications or conditions they deem appropriate.

The committee will meet next Thursday, August 26, to determine the licence.