New Stalybridge bar get booze licence

The owners of a new Stalybridge bar have assured locals it won’t be like the town’s notorious ‘old Staly Vegas days’. 

Tipsys will become the latest wine and cocktail venue to come to the area, which once dubbed Greater Manchester’s answer to the Las Vegas strip thanks to its reputation as a party hub.

But John Whittle, who also runs Judges nightclub nearby to the new Trinity Street venue, says this will not be like the old days.

After permission to serve booze was requested, it sparked objections locally – so a hearing was held to decide whether it should be allowed.

Mr Whittle told Tameside Council’s licensing panel this new place would be a ‘starting off bar’ where people would go in the evening for a quieter drink with friends. It will serve beers, wines, cocktails as well as teas, coffees, sandwiches and cakes, the meeting in the Tameside One building on July 14 heard.

Norma Hurren, who lives near the venue opposite the Civic Hall, was concerned about the level of noise and damage that may be caused by the new nightlife spot. 

Mrs Hurren said: “Do you realise you are next to three very important buildings with the church, the Civic Hall and the library. 

“Some crackpot from your bar is going to come out and break something. A lot of people feel like I do about this.

“We are trying to get rid of that ‘Staly Vegas’ image.”

The pensioner went on to share her concern about the residents of the care home nearby, worrying they could be disturbed by the new bar.

In response, Mr Whittle said he has visited the care home to ask about any concerns they may have, but they did not raise any objection to the application.

He added: “We have been running Judges for 13 years and never had a complaint. The people at the care home didn’t even know Judges was there.

“We normally have over 100 people at Judges so this will be less noisy.”

He went on to say the new bar will create five new jobs in the area and provide a different offer to the nightclub scene already present in the town, so ‘it won’t be like the old Staly Vegas days’.

The panel, chaired by Coun Helen Bowden, decided to approve the application.

Tipsys can now serve alcohol until 1.30am from Thursday to Saturday and until 1am on other days, with a closure time 30 minutes after.