A sports and cocktail bar could open on the site of a former H&M.

Cyngor Gwyneed has received an appended application for a premises licence for City Sports & Cocktail Bar Ltd, located beside High Street.

It has been reported previously that the City Sports and Cocktail Bar want to create a “dynamic new venue”.

The unit, on Wales’ longest high street would be located at the former H&M stores which closed back in 2020.

Based in the Menai Centre the bar is now seeking permission for a ground floor sports bar, including multiple TV screens, pool tables, interactive dart boards and gaming machines.

A second floor would also provide a cocktail and spirits bar including VIP seating and socialising areas, photo booths and dance area.

The application also relates to indoors and outdoors entertainment, including plays, films, sporting events, boxing and wrestling entertainment, live music, recorded music , dance, late night refreshment, supply of alcohol on and off the premises.

Public concerns and comments had been raised as the application described numerous events running into the early hours.

Although a council report noted that North Wales Police supported the application they had expressed “concerns regarding the safety of the public, after 4am – when the police have fewer resources” and suggested limiting the hours selling alcohol.

It also stated “…the risk assessment considers the presence of adequate supervision in the area where there are hard objects, such as pool balls and cues present.”

The council’s environmental health officers had concerns regarding the hours and over a request for external music until 9pm and one that proposed outside seating.

“The premises does not have an external area within its curtilage, licensable under the Licensing Act” the report stated

They also did not not support music being played externally – due to the impact on the nearby residents – and a residential property immediately next door..”

A “noise report submitted as part of the planning application also stated that “‘there should be no external loudspeakers placed outside.'”

A meeting had been held between officers and the applicant, in relation to planning.

“The officer was informed that the late opening hours were for sporting events to be shown, and that the site is ‘not proposing to be a night club,’ but would require recorded/live music to be played until early hours of the morning.”

It was recommended that hours for live/recorded music was reduced to between midnight-1am, with background music thereafter.

The application is currently going through the planning process and there were “concerns regarding the structure of the building to contain noise.”

“Matters related to traffic management were also raised.”

“Whilst the planning department have not objected to the application, it has been noted that the premises currently has no planning permission in place, an application is currently pending but no decision has yet been made.” The report stated.

A member of the public had also objected as the premises was situated near a family home.

There were concerns raised over live music, ie live DJ set, live bands and background music on both levels of the venue , and how the business would address “the noise pollution.”

“Noise disturbances well into the night is a grave concern.” The report noted in the public comments.

There were also worries over “screaming and shouting” outside homes with children.

They also cited worries over people under the influence of alcohol, urinating or smoking by a flat front door and leaning on shop windows and “an increase in antisocial behaviour.”

Mitigation measures proposed by the application include using high quality CCTV systems with footage available to the Police, being ” robust in

implementing challenge 25 procedures, SIA registered door staff, use of body cameras, premises maintained to “a high level of cleanliness”, staff will trained in ‘ASK FOR ANGELA’ – a safety initiative that provides a discreet way for people to seek help if they feel unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened.

To minimise public nuisance it would also “ensure music levels were kept to appropriate volumes.”

The matter comes before Cyngor Gwynedd’s Central Licensing sub- committee for a decision, on Monday, December 2.