Licence agreed for proposed new gastropub to replace Buddies in Kingsthorpe

The American style burger joint closed its doors at Acre Lane before Christmas, but directors associated with Buddies now plan to turn it into a new gastropub called The Olde Cobbler.

Those plans had concerned some neighbours, who say that a previous pub on the site – the Moon and the Stars, and which had previously been known as The North Star – had been a hub for anti-social behaviour.

And after confirming the new licence on Friday (February 14), Councillor Sally Beardsworth urged the owners of the proposed pub to meet regularly with residents to keep up relations.

Councillor Beardsworth, who is chairman of the council’s sub-licensing committee but also lives in Kingsthorpe, said: “If you can work together so everyone can enjoy the premises when it opens, and have some regular meetings, then that would be reassuring.”

The committee did reject plans to extend the licence to sell alcohol for an additional 15 minutes until 12.45am at weekends. They agreed however to allow the new venue to open from 8am, although alcohol won’t be sold until 10am. No changes were proposed for the licence for recorded music or late night refreshments.

The applicant for the Olde Cobbler, Mark Robinson – who is also a director for the Buddies chain – said although the licensing hours lasted until half past midnight for weekends and 11pm for weekdays, the precise opening hours had not been ‘finalised’ yet.

Residents were also pleased that potential outdoor noise would be curtailed by part of the licence requiring the decking area to be closed at 9pm, and for the doors leading to it to be shut at that time.

Mr Robinson’s request to have the garden included as part of the premises licence was also rejected, with members saying it could potentially cause a nuisance for neighbours. The decision stated: “If this was allowed there would be a significant adverse effect as some of the properties are very close.”

Councillor Beardsworth also requested that a doorman be put in place at weekends for the first few weeks of operation, although that request is not mandatory.

Speaking after the licencing meeting concluded at The Guildhall, resident Isabel White said: “It’s been a good outcome in terms of closing the outdoor area at 9pm and not serving alcohol. But we still have some reservations about parking, and that they can take alcohol outside.”

A planning application meeting on Tuesday (February 18) will determine whether to approve a change of use from restaurant to a public house.

Councillor Beardsworth had been set to object to the plans at that meeting over the proposed longer opening hours, doing so acting as a ward councillor for Kingsthorpe. She says that call-in was lodged before she knew she would be serving on the licensing committee. However, following the licensing meeting that she chaired, she indicated she would likely be withdrawing her objection.