Liverpool FC moves to allay concerns over new bar licence plan

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Liverpool Echo IconNewsLiverpool NewsLiverpool FCThe club insists the licence extension for Kop Bar would not result in late night match day drinkingPeople living close to Anfield Stadium have raised concerns after plans were submitted to extend the licence of the ground's popular Kop Bar. However, while local residents and councillors are objecting to the licence, the ECHO understands the club does not intend to open up the bar late into the night on match days.In an application to Liverpool City Council's licensing committee, which will be heard in January, Liverpool Football Club is seeking a change to its current licence for the Kop Bar, a self-contained bar that is part of the world famous Kop Stand at Anfield.Currently, the bar is permitted to open four hours before and two hours after home matches and other certified sporting events.

The bar currently has a licence to serve alcoholic drinks until 11pm following evening matches, although club officials pointed out that it does not generally open until this time.Locals were concerned to read that in its application that the club has applied to extend this licence to 1am the morning after match days and major event days, although the ECHO understands the club has no intention of opening the bar to this time on match days.Instead the club insists the change is being brought in to bring the Kop Bar's licence into line with the ground's other lounges and for one off private events, which will be few and far between.However, local councillors have raised objections to the plans along with some local residents, who have spoken of the anti-social behaviour they say regularly witness on match days already.In her objection, submitted in response to the application, Cllr Portia Fahey, who represents Everton North, said: "We already have a problem with visitors to the stadium exposing themselves to urinate in public and committing other sorts of environmental crime on match and event days."Extending it into the following day at unsociable hours, would cause the residents a lot of added distress."Anfield ward councillor Lena Simic also expressed concerns, writing: "Kop Bar is in residential area – and keeping it open (non-standard hours) until 1am could create further noise disturbances for residents in the neighbourhood."It would be advisable for the bar to remain open until the same time as other similar establishments in the area. If 1am opening time is granted, this opens up room for other applications to ask for the same hours of operation."Despite these concerns, the ECHO understands that Liverpool FC has no intention of opening the Kop Bar until 1am on match days.The club sees Kop Bar as serving the day time economy from 9am to 5pm, suggesting the late licence would only be used for private functions on one-off occasions.The licensing application will be heard at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday, January 13 next year.The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10am.