Restaurant’s plans to open til 4am anger neighbours

The former Sinclairs department store is being converted into an American themed restaurant, So Famous, due to open in November.

When the original plans were approved, the opening hours were 7am to 11pm, seven days a week, but the restaurant has now come back to the council, asking to extend the opening hours to 4am.

In a report, it says: “We have done some market research in the area and feel, for the nature of the business being operated, it is not unreasonable to be open till 4am.

“The commercial already benefits from acoustic treatment to all ceilings throughout and therefore, there should be no disturbance to the residence above.”

But residents on neighbouring Gell Street have objected. One said: “It is clear to us that those making these decisions are rarely out and about at 1am – 3am on Friday and Saturday, especially at the end of the month when its pay day. It is carnage out there but since you are unaffected, why would you care?

“There must be a balance here. Local residents have been overlooked for too long now and it just seems permission is granted to anything that increases human traffic for the fabled and revered night time economy and those profiting from our disturbance.”

The chairman of the residents association involving the owners of 21 apartments in Glossop Road Baths building, opposite the restaurant, has also objected.

They say: “As nearby residents we are not aware of any market research or consultation with residential neighbours.

“In the council planning document, the permitted closing time for this area is 12:30am because it is classed primarily as a residential area.

“Our building is almost opposite to this restaurant; K-Space apartments are directly above the restaurant and the large West One apartment block is nearby.

“We cannot see any demand after midnight in this residential part of the city centre for a restaurant. To permit later opening would be moving it into the nightclub category and would change the nature of the area in which we live.”

Planning officers are still considering the change in hours.