The Drawing Room, a bar on Burton Road in Didsbury, has pledged to make improvements after being accused of being a source of 'public disorder' in the Manchester suburb. The venue is set to appear at a council licensing hearing on Monday, November 2, after applying to change its premises licence by removing a rule that any music played must be 'purely incidental'.
Council officers have objected to the application, citing complaints about noise disturbance from the venue. When approached for comment, the bar said it recognises the issues and is working to improve.
Council complaints and licence breaches
Concerns about the venue were published in a public report on the council's website ahead of the licensing meeting. Officers from Manchester council's licensing and out of hours (LOOH) team wrote: "LOOH have been in receipt of complaints regarding the premise. There have been noise complaints consisting of people, noise, and music breakout."
They added: "This has been due to a combination of when customers are smoking outside and due to the door remaining open resulting in people, noise, and music breakout from inside the premises."
During a visit to the bar at midnight on September 17, council officers said they witnessed breaches of premises licence conditions. They wrote: "Within this time multiple conditions were in breach relating to a max of 6 smokers - there were up to 12, no drinks outside - several customers bringing drinks outside to smoke, front door left open - loud music escaping, people, noise was also excessive."
They also noted: "Whilst monitoring from approximately 10m away two customers exited, came and 'sniffed' near our car, and then walked back in the premises. No SIA [security] on duty. The outside area was not being managed, and it was creating a noise nuisance."
Local councillors raise concerns
Two local councillors have also raised concerns in letters published on the council's website. Councillor Richard Kilpatrick wrote: "Over the last few years, we have had a number of incidents that have brought into question the ability of the licensee to fulfil their legal duty. Variation at this time seems unsuitable given the ongoing review of the current license."
He added: "The reason for objection is the resident reports of failure to manage the outside space at the premises; the video evidence provided to the police over the premises being the source of public disorder. I do not feel that it would be suitable to grant a variation of a license when the actions of the licensee have triggered a review of their current license."
New owner responds
The Drawing Room does not have a website but was contacted for comment through its Facebook page, and said it is working to improve. A woman named Abi responded saying she has been the owner of the venue since March. She said: "I want to be absolutely clear that I am not trying to turn The Drawing Room into a nightclub."
She continued: "In fact, my vision is quite the opposite. I want to develop the business into a welcoming, successful venue that attracts more customers earlier in the day and evening, supports the local hospitality industry and becomes a positive part of the community."
Abi added: "I recognise that residents have raised concerns about noise and that the premises have a history of complaints. I am not dismissing those concerns, and I understand that, from a resident's perspective, problems experienced over a number of years can understandably create frustration and a lack of trust. I have inherited a business with a history and a reputation, and I am now working to understand the issues, address legitimate concerns and make improvements."
