Police Object to City Centre Bar’s Extended Operating Hours and Live Music Proposal

Law enforcement officials have voiced opposition to an application submitted by a bar situated in the city centre, which seeks permission to operate for longer hours and host live musical performances. Tonne Bar, located in St Martin’s Square, Leicester, is currently authorized to remain open until 02:00 GMT daily for the indoor service of beverages. However, its request to Leicester City Council to extend this closing time to 03:00, to permit outdoor drink service, and to stage live music events, has led Leicestershire Police to express reservations concerning potential “alcohol-related” trouble. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors are scheduled to render a decision on Wednesday regarding the proposed alterations to Tonne’s licence. Applicant Nicholas Ameer-Beg stated that the live music events would “most likely” be restricted to “bank holidays and festival days,” rather than being a weekly occurrence. PC Jefferson Pritchard, a police licensing officer, indicated that the application should be rejected due to its “vague” nature and its omission of “no reference to the venue’s security provision.” He further commented that the “high concentration” of bars in the vicinity operating into the early hours “unfortunately, occasionally [resulted] in alcohol-related violent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area.” PC Pritchard conveyed that if the application were to be approved, the police force would desire the inclusion of conditions related to the deployment of CCTV, staff training, and the recording of incidents, alongside a requirement for alcohol service to cease at 02:40.