New licence granted for hotel despite approved plans to turn building into flats

A proposal to turn the Hare and Hounds in Wisbech into six flats was approved in October after councillors raised concerns it may “fall into disrepair” if refused.

But in March of this year a licensing application was submitted to Fenland District Council to bring the Grade II listed building back into its original use.

Susan Goodwin applied to open and play recorded music from 9am until 2.30am on every day of the week and extending until 9.59am on New Year’s Day.

She also sought to serve alcohol until 2am and 9.59am on New Year’s Day and live music until midnight.

There were three objections from residents – but one was withdrawn after it was agreed that music would not be played outside past 11pm.

One said “it would be madness” to approve the application in a residential area and “would only lead to the sort of problems we have had in the past”.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee, Ms Goodwin said: “I think our picture might be different – because I’m going to be running a hotel.

“I do know there might be a history behind how it was run before, it was a nightclub, and I think that’s where the objections might be.”

She said the application was “based on running a hotel” with the times set “to provide flexibility for the customers”.

Ms Goodwin said she has lived in Wisbech for over two decades and got the opportunity to “provide something that we don’t have”.

She said: “When I moved in the beginning, the town was very vibrant and there were loads of things happening, I’m quite keen to get involved.

“At the moment there isn’t really anywhere where people can go and hang out later in the evenings.

“My colleagues normally go to hotels and have meetings because it’s more quiet, they can sit there and there’s free wifi.”

Ms Goodwin said the hotel would host “retreats for professionals” – such as for “psychologists and counsellors”.

She said: “I also have a background in counselling, I’ve been working in mental health, and we have difficulty meeting up or just talking about our profession with anyone.

“It’s easier for us to meet up and be able to talk to our colleagues – the work is quite lonely. Often those evenings they go late into the night – it’s not that people listen to loud music but just sit and talk for ages.”

The committee granted the licence, but modified the hours to “ensure access to the bar is for hotel residents and their guests only”.

The hotel must shut to the public at midnight and stop serving alcohol at 11.30pm – but the bar can stay open for guests only until 2am each