Historic hotel wins licence for live music

Helen Heraty and John Edwards, of Grays Court, a hotel in Chapter House Street, had applied to York Council for a premises licence to permit entertainment events to be held in the Grade I listed property as late as midnight.

The National Trust issued a formal objection, however, amid concerns about possible noise late at night from guests leaving the property, which lies in the shadow of York Minster and dates back to 1080.

A lengthy licensing hearing yesterday granted permission subject to the following conditions: Inside building – sale of retail alcohol: 8am-9pm Sunday to Thursday and 8am-10pm Friday and Saturday. Alcohol sales must stop one hour prior to those times.

Regulated entertainment (live and recorded music) – 8am-9pm Sunday to Thursday and 8am-10pm Friday and Saturday.

Outside (lawn area) – sale of alcohol by retail 8am-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 8am-9pm Friday and Saturday.

Live music – 8am-6pm Sunday to Thursday and 8am-10pm Friday and Saturday. No recorded music or dancing outside.

Closing times – premises to close at 10pm Sunday to Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

Nearby residents, including York Minster's chamberlain Dr Richard Shephard, had raised concerns after the council received 15 formal objections about the proposals.

Rev Canon Dr Jonathan Draper of Minster Court, who lives next door to Grays Court, told the Yorkshire Post: ''I am very disappointed that any kind of permission has been granted at all.

"The impact of what they have been doing so far has been significant from time to time.''

No-one from Grays Court was available for comment.

But Mrs Heraty told the Yorkshire Post prior to the hearing: "We are not out to cause problems for our neighbours, we are simply trying to run a business here.

"We do have a certain clientele as it is a nice place, and we would make every effort to prevent any problems as they leave."