Brighton venue refused late-night licence extension

A West Street venue has been told that it cannot stay open later because the centre of Brighton is saturated with bars and clubs.

The owner of Latin Lounge in the Travelodge in West Street applied to vary the conditions on its licence.

The aim was to be able to sell alcohol and play music until 2.30am every day of the week and close at 3am.

Instead it will have to stick to its current cut-off times for drink and music which are 11.30pm on a Sunday, 12.30am on Mondays to Wednesdays and 1.30am on Thursdays to Saturdays.

The panel was told that the current licence restricts drinks to those served to go with a meal by waiters or waitresses.

The applicant said that it wanted the extra hours to enable dance classes and for customers to be able to dance.

The application was made by the owner, Funky Bars and Restaurants, which is based in Steyning Avenue, Peacehaven, and the designated presmises superviser John Minor.

It was turned down by a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel after Sussex Police and a ward councillor objected.

Brighton and Hove divisional commander Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said that Latin Lounge was in the council’s cumulative impact area where there were extra restrictions on licences.

He said that no exceptional circumstances had been included in the application for the West Street premises.

Chief Superintendent Bartlett said: “This is a mixed-use area with pubs, clubs and restaurants which currently suffers from a high level of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and disorder.

“The concentration of licensed presmises within this area of the city causes of problems of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder and public nuisance.”

Councillor Jason Kitcat, who represents Regency ward, which includes West Street, wrote to the panel to urge members to refuse the application.

He said: “The street cannot take any more late-night licensed venues.”