Bracknell Restaurant's Music Licence Approved Despite Concerns

Councillors have approved a music and alcohol licence for Sangeetha Restaurant and Banquet Hall at 5 High Street, Bracknell, despite a nearby residents fears about anti-social behaviour.

The licensing panel met on Tuesday, June 9, to hear the application from SVR Bracknell Ltd and agreed to grant the licence subject to conditions, including a noise management plan.

Owners had already agreed the plan after Environmental Health warned of possible noise breakout from amplified music, speech and drumming. The plan covers entertainment noise, customer behaviour, deliveries, waste handling, monitoring, staff training and a complaints procedure, and requires noise not to cause a public nuisance.

Mr Phillip Pelling, who lives in the former NatWest Bank building, objected in a letter dated April 14, saying late-night music and alcohol could worsen existing problems with noise, anti-social behaviour and street safety. He did not attend the hearing.

Council officers told the panel that anti-social behaviour is largely outside the direct control of a premises licence, so the main issue was potential noise nuisance. The panel decided the agreed measures meant the application would not undermine licensing objectives.

The licence allows alcohol sales on the premises daily, typically 11am to 11pm, extended to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Once the noise plan is approved, live and recorded music and dance can take place indoors in the banquet hall and late-night refreshment is allowed from 11pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant may open from 8am, closing at 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter