Sunderland bistro boss plays down noise concerns over function room licence application

The Silksworth Lane-based eatery, The Scullery, is described as a bistro by day and Italian restaurant “Cucina” by night.

Owners have created a new first-floor function room – The Miners Room – and have applied to Sunderland City Council for a premises licence.

This includes selling alcohol and hosting live music every day between 9am – 1am, playing recorded music between 9am – 12.30am and opening to the public between 9am-1.30am.

Other conditions include providing late night refreshment between 11pm-12.30am alongside 11pm-5am hours on New Years Eve/ Day.

During consultation, an objection was received by the council’s Environmental Health sector over the control of music noise levels.

Although this objection was later withdrawn, a condition will restrict the volume levels to reduce disruption to nearby homes if the licence is approved.

The council also received  a letter stating the music licence would attract customers late into the night and “result in cars and taxis to the area”.

“This pub is in a residential area next to old peoples’ bungalows, therefore it would be a public nuisance,” it said.

Managing director of the Scullery Group, Hayley Ann Scott, stressed works have been tailored to minimise any disruption to residents.

This includes moving the function room entrance to the to the rear of the property and into the private car park to “stop any noise or issues”.

“We have spent a lot of nicer time and quality to make this work , everything has been soundproofed, no hard floors and when music levels are on nothing can be heard outside,” she said.

“We have had two functions already on a temporary licence and we stood outside, you can’t hear a single thing,” she said.

The owner added that the restaraunt’s front doors would close at 11pm and the new function room would not accept 18th or 21st birthday parties.

On Tuesday, May 15, Sunderland City Council’s licensing sub-committee will be asked to either grant the application, modify conditions to reject it in full.

For more information, visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk

Chris Binding , Local Democracy Reporting Service