A BAR which is set to open in Petersfield town centre has been granted a licence – but councillors have restricted the opening hours and set out 21 other conditions which must be met.

The Charles Street Tap, an American craft beer bar and informal dining area, is being created in what was the sales room of Jacob and Hunt auctioneers close to the corner of Charles Street and Lavant Street.

However, the plans have been met with some opposition from residents in the surrounding streets, who fear the venue will bring extra noise to the town centre and the nuisance of smokers outside the venue.

A number of conditions had already been agreed to by the licence applicant, Jonathan Berry, with the police and environmental protection officers before East Hampshire District Council’s licensing sub-committee met to decide on the application during their meeting on March 18.

Addressing some of the concerns voiced by residents, Mr Berry told the meeting that smoking would not be allowed outside the front of the building and all of the recommendations from the full acoustic report undertaken for the planning application would be implemented, as would police recommendations on CCTV?and door staff.

One resident voiced her concerns about noise nuisance caused by patrons leaving at closing time into Charles Street, which was predominantly a residential street, including 41 dwellings and a retirement complex.

The committee members decided to grant the premises licence but restricted the permitted hours of opening and imposed a list of conditions which must be met.