Police object to smokehouse

Police have objected to a plan to open a new BBQ smokehouse until 1am over concerns that it will encourage late-night noise and disorder.

Central Bodycraft Holding Company has asked for permission to play live and recorded music and sell alcohol from 7am until 1am at the new CJ’s Smokehouse in Church Street in Upton.

In an objection, West Mercia Police said the application, which describes the new venture as a “traditional restaurant and café” appeared at odds with much of the planned late-night activity.

“The application describes the business as a traditional English restaurant [and] café opening for breakfast, lunch and dinner, however the application has not detailed any plans and appears to be more a late-night bar and music venue,” it said.

“The application is heavily focussed on late-night activities [and[ live performances and mentions very little of the restaurant plans. The propensity for disorder in a bar is clearly far different to a restaurant. There is also no clarity on the size of the venue [or] capacity.”

The application said the smokehouse in the grade II-listed former home of Pasty World, which was put up for sale in early 2022, would open for breakfast as well as host birthday parties, christenings and weddings.

Officers said they have been ‘left in the dark’ about the application despite attempts to get in touch to discuss the proposal and are worried the applicant would be unwilling to cooperate.

In the objection, police officers in Upton said: “CJ’s will be occupying a building very close to where there are already eight well-established licenced premises that are open late into the evening, another licenced venue in this area will increase noise issues for local residents and potentially increase anti-social behaviour in the area.

“There is also a road safety risk to patrons with the proposed location of CJ’s being on one of the main entrance and exit roads for Upton.”

Several residents in Upton have also objected to the plan saying they were concerned about late-night noise and potential disorder.

Upton district councillor Martin Allen said that while he wanted to see businesses succeed, he was concerned by the potential for late-night disruption and called for the proposed opening hours to be cut to 11pm.

The application will be discussed by Malvern Hills District Council’s licensing subcommittee on January 16.