A BRADFORD district bar has been granted permission to extend its hours for selling alcohol and to play music outdoors. 

The previous licence for Groove Pad, on Saltaire Road in Shipley, allowed for the supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 11am until midnight and 1am on New Year’s Eve; the performance of live music indoors from 12pm until midnight and 2am on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and the playing of recorded music indoors from 10am until midnight.

It will now be able to supply alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from Monday to Sunday until 2am.

Music, both live and recorded, will also be able to be played indoors until 2am.

The provision of late-night refreshments, indoors and outdoors, until 2am was also granted.

Performances of live music outdoors will be allowed Monday to Sunday until 11pm, along with the playing of recorded music outdoors.

The application originally included the performance of live and recorded music outdoors up until 2am, but this was amended by Groove Pad bosses before a Bradford Council licensing meeting was held.

The application was heard and granted at a Bradford Council Licensing Panel meeting held on Tuesday, August 15.

Speaking at the panel meeting, Marie Parkinson, of the Groove Pad, said: “The music would not be any louder than it is now.

“We’re local as well, we are part of the community. Groove Pad is a friendly venue. We don’t want to be a nightclub.

“We want people to listen to music and have a conversation as well.

“We want our customers to be able to enjoy themselves.”

An objector to the application spoke at the meeting.

Harvey Hackner, who lives on Taunton Street, Shipley, told the panel: “My main concern is the noise.

“I live behind the club (Groove Pad) and above it, so the sound comes up. We have young children who live on the street.

“I just don’t want it. With young children living here, it is not good having loud music here.”

Andy Parkinson, Groove Pad owner, said he made the application so the venue has the flexibility to extend its opening hours as and when it is needed.

For example, if the bar hosts a private party and wishes to go beyond the current midnight closing time on Fridays and Saturdays, it may do so. 

He said: “It’s not about having a massive festival in the beer garden at the front.”