Pop-up bar allowed despite complaints of noise, vomit and Christmas music

"A piano was smashed"

A pop-up Christmas bar on Gloucester Road will only be able to open late five nights of the year after complaints about noise, vomit and a smashed piano. 

This year the Xmas Tavern will be mixing up its playlist after residents said they had to endure Christmas music in their homes from mid-November - and even owner Carl Busby admitted getting tired of the same festive tunes. 

It will return to the car park of Nailsea Electrical with a new speaker setup and better insulation to help address their concerns. 

Frank Maddix, one of 10 objectors, said: “Most of the disruption occurs after the closing. Mr Busby doesn’t have control over the antisocial behaviour. 

“There have been pools of vomit in Barclay Road. A piano was smashed. This doesn’t occur normally. There’s loads of talking and drinking. This doesn’t occur normally. 

“Although there are bars locally we’ve never had problems with them.”

Ben Smith said: “If you hear the same Christmas songs from mid-November through to Christmas Eve that becomes tiresome. 

“Sometimes the music is nice and ambient but sometimes it’s loud and erratic. It can affect our wellbeing. It’s a residential area.”

Gavin Spittlehouse said pubs in the area have to empty their beer gardens by 10pm and there should be a level playing field. 

Philip Walsh added: “Local businesses will be trying to recover in a post-Covid situation. They will be hoping to rebuild their businesses and I think it’s unfair on all the businesses on Gloucester Road for a pop-up bar to be taking away some of their market share.”

Responding to their comments, Mr Busby said: “People say Christmas hasn’t arrived until the Xmas Tavern is here. So many families enjoy it. 

“There are no concerns about the daytime activity. Commercially, that doesn’t substantiate the business. We need night trade to make the whole thing happen. We can’t just shut up shop early.  

“There was a comment that businesses should be able to recoup the losses from Covid-19. I don’t think my business should be discredited as not deserving a place in that. 

“Places like The Grace and The Flyer feed off us. We’re part of the business community. 

“We’ve created something that is simple but appeals to all markets.”

Mr Busby’s previous licence said he could only play Christmas music and he agreed it could be repetitive. He said: “I put some different music on at times. Two girls said they came for Christmas music, to feel Christmassy. I always look for alternative Christmas tracks. You can’t ignore the classics. This is an immersive experience.”

He claimed closing at 9pm during the week was “unreasonable” and said the hours he applied for - opening until 11pm from Thursday to Saturday and until 10.30pm the rest of the week - were a compromise after previously being allowed to open until as late as 11.30pm. 

The licensing subcommittee ruled that the Xmas Tavern must close at 9.30pm from Monday to Wednesday and at 10pm the rest of the week. 

It can stay open until 10.30pm on December 11, 12, 18, 19 and 24. 

Similar dates were approved for next year.

Committee chair Eleanor Combley said Mr Busby could also play ambient music “to allow for a bit more variety in the playlist without it turning into an outdoor disco”.