Bike hub applies for alcohol and music licence

A cafe and bike hire business in the North York Moors has applied for a licence to sell alcohol and play music - dividing the opinions of local residents.

If approved, Bike Base North York Moors Ltd on Dikes Lane in Great Ayton would be allowed to host live music and have space for dancing indoors and outdoors, from 10:00 until 20:00 seven days a week.

North Yorkshire Council has received 25 objections to the proposals, alongside 49 letters of support.

The club argued the proposed 20:00 finish was within "sociable hours" and described the site as "not a party venue", but somewhere people could relax in the countryside.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, supporters described Bike Base as an asset to the area and said the licence would strengthen a rural business while providing another amenity for walkers, cyclists and residents.

One resident said cycling tourism brought wider benefits to accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants, shops and attractions, arguing that the proposals would help support local employment and business activity.

Another supporter said the cafe was well managed and operated responsibly, adding that the licence would provide an additional amenity while helping a local business to succeed.

A local rural club said it had previously considered holding committee meetings at Bike Base but members wanted somewhere where they could also buy a pint or glass of wine.

However, neighbours raised concerns about noise, traffic and the impact on the tranquillity of the North York Moors National Park.

One objector, who said they lived about 10m (33ft) from the premises, feared noise from music, outdoor conversations and vehicles.

They also claimed a previous party at Bike Base had resulted in music which disturbed residents for much of the day.

Another resident said music could undermine the peace and quiet enjoyed by residents and visitors, while raising concerns about people who had been drinking walking along the dark and narrow Dikes Lane.

A further submission highlighted the road's poor sightlines and lack of a footpath, as well as arguing that music could disturb wildlife including bats and owls.

The application will go before the authority's statutory licensing sub-committee on Tuesday.

Councillors can grant the licence as requested, approve it with amended conditions, or reject all or part of the application.

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