Ascot drinking and music event given go-ahead

Val de Cavall plans to sell alcohol and host entertainment from 10:00 - 22:00 BST during Royal Ascot

All day drinking and music will be allowed at a high street venue during Royal Ascot, a council has ruled.

Fears were raised that the week-long event at Vall de Cavall tapas bar on Hermitage Parade in Ascot would cause too much noise for residents of nearby flats.

Environmental heath officers said loud music in the centre of Ascot had been an issue in previous years.

The restaurant owners said the event was "critical" to keeping their business going.

Royal Ascot, which attracts 270,000 spectators, is as much a social occasion as a sporting event.

Details submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead stated the bar planned to sell alcohol and host entertainment from 10:00 - 22:00 BST during the course of the racing festival between 18 and 22 June.

Up to 200 people would be expected to attend each day.

Owner Sandra Da Costa submitted a temporary event notice to the council’s licensing department.

The notice allows venues to host activities that they would normally need a license for without having to get authorisation from the council.

David Dadds, a lawyer for the restaurant, said Royal Ascot was a "really important week" for the local hospitality trade, with about £80m generated by the event.

“It’s absolutely critical for hospitality to have that week to boost revenues income and support the business throughout the rest of the year," he said.

In a written statement to the council's licensing sub committee, the Royal Borough’s environmental protection team said it had received "numerous complaints" about noise in the high street in previous years.

“Last year, environmental protection officers visited the High Street and were of the opinion that statutory nuisance was likely to be occurring and affecting the enjoyment of local residents’ properties,” it added.

Mr Dadds said the officers had provided no evidence of complaints about the restaurant in previous years.

He said neighbours had told the owners they were "content" with the Val de Cavall’s plans.

The councillors agreed unanimously to allow the event to go ahead.