Brighton univeristy bid for late-night student halls' licence (From The Argus)

Brighton univeristy bid for late-night student halls' licence

2:30pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News

A student halls’ bar could open until 2.30am six days a week.

The University of Brighton has applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a licence for The Hub at Varley Halls in Coldean Lane, Brighton.

The university said the planned opening hours have not been altered from the previous bar which has been on the site for more than 20 years.

Bosses added it will mean it can offer a better service to the hundreds of students living in the area.

However residents are concerned it will impact on their lives and lead to antisocial behaviour and late-night noise.

A decision will be made by the council’s licensing panel which met at 10am in Brighton Town Hall.

Pat Berry, vice chairman of the Coldean Residents Association, said: “We have major concerns. We already have had noise issues in the past.

“We also have concerns about the consultation. They only put five signs in the Coldean Lane area so unless you were walking past you would not have been aware of what they are doing.”

The application is for a central building providing a restaurant, bar and seminar and conference facilities.

It proposes to open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 2.30am and Sunday from noon to 11pm.

If approved, alcohol will be served until 11pm although dancing and music events will be allowed to continue until 2am.

It is part of a new complex which will open this autumn and house more than 500 students.

A University of Brighton spokeswoman said: “The university has had a licensed premises at Varley Halls for more than 20 years.

"The new Hub Building will eventually replace the existing facilities, and its opening hours will remain the same.

“The café, to be located in the university’s new conference centre, will be used for conference and events as well as serving the main site.

“These improvements will help the university provide better services to its students and the university will continue to work with local residents groups to ensure that these developments do not have a negative impact on the community.”