Restaurant granted licence for Ascot Week despite council officer objection

A restaurant and bar has been granted a temporary event licence during Ascot’s biggest week of the year despite a council officer objection.

Vall De Cavall in Ascot High Street applied for a temporary event notice (TEN) to sell alcohol between 10am and 10pm and provide ‘regulated entertainment’ for the same hours during Royal Ascot week.

The internationally-reconised Royal Ascot, which runs from June 18 to 22, is the town’s biggest event and attracts thousands of visitors for the racing.

Carl Griffin, from the Royal Borough’s housing, environmental, health and trading standards team, objected to the application to prevent ‘public nuisance’ to neighbouring residents.

In a letter to the licensing and public space protection order sub-committee on May 23, he wrote: “The environmental protection team objects to this TEN under the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance.

“The premises are surrounded by residential premises (mainly in flats above the commercial units).

“We historically have numerous complaints, particularly during Ascot week, about loud music.

“Last year, environmental protection officers visited the High Street and were of the opinion that statutory nuisance was likely to be occurring and affecting the enjoyment of local residents’ properties.

“It is very unlikely that we will be happy to accept a similar application in Ascot.”

A spokesperson for the Hermitage Parade restaurant addressed Cllr Mandy Brar, Cllr Genevieve Gosling and Cllr Mark Wilson.

He said: “It's Ascot week.

“We know that over half a million people will visit outside of Ascot – the bars and restaurants and hospitality.

“It's absolutely critical for hospitality to have that week to boost revenues, income and support the business throughout the rest of the year – that's vital.

“We know that around about 80million pounds is spent in the hospitality trade over that week outside of Ascot.

“We want to have a similar opportunity to benefit from an economic point of view.”

He said the restaurant had consulted neighbours and provided them a contact number ‘should they have any cause of concern’ and would share the call log with the Environmental Health team after the event.

“Generally they would join us during Ascot week so it is a community event,” he added.

“We are neighbourly. We're very socially aware, we have empathy for our neighbours.

“However, our neighbours do have a degree of more tolerance during that week because of the week it is.”

The meeting took place on Thursday, May 23 and the council confirmed this week that decision has been reached.

A council spokesperson said: “The decision of the licensing and public space protection order sub-committee, which met on May 23, was not to serve a counter notice, to the temporary event notice, for an event at 6 Hermitage Parade, Ascot SL5 7HE on June 18-22 2024.

“This means that the event can go ahead as applied for.”