Plans for a second late-night Chinese disco have moved a step closer this week following the City of York Council’s decision to approve the late-night license application of the Royal Dragon Restaurant.
The proposals, revealed first by Vision (Issue 227), request the conversion of the Chinese restaurant on Barbican Road into a venue providing 11 Karaoke rooms, on top of rooms for dancing and music until 3:30am, seven days a week. The establishment will be putting itself in direct competition with notorious student nightspot The Willow; famed for its debauched combination of tequila and prawn crackers.These measures including the installation of CCTV on the premises, regular noise assessments, training for staff in alcohol licensing, and a “challenge 21” sales policy have all been promised by new owner Chong Hung Chun.
However, despite clearing its first hurdle, the plans could still be derailed pending the approval of a planning application, which is yet to be submitted.
The development has already been met with strong opposition from the City Council, the police and nearby residents. 18 official objections have already been made.
Matthew Parkinson, a member of the planning department, outlined the key issues in a memo circulated to the licensing department, highlighting “significant concerns” with the proposals.
“The proposed use has the potential to have significant impact on the amenity and living conditions of nearby residents through noise and disturbance.
“Such disturbance would be made even worse by the proposed licensing times, which show a finish time every day of 3.30am and officers further object to this.”
Local police have also openly opposed the plans. PC Mick Wilkinson told the hearing that, given the content of the applicant’s operating schedule, the police wish to make representations to the application as it is felt that the application will undermine all four licensing objectives.”
Wilkinson went on to say that the police would pursue various conditions for the proposal, including that the sale of alcohol should always be accompanied by a meal.
Theoretical Physics student Sam Westmoreland expressed his displeasure with the conversion plans: “I’d say Willow is a disgrace, a place for the abandonment of all dignity and values, a place where souls go to die and two Willows in York will be two too many!”