Restaurant booze licence objections claim Bury’s The Rock is now ‘a residential street’

Tuesday, 19 August 2025 18:01

By Chris Gee

Claims that one of Bury main shopping thoroughfares has become ‘a residential street’ have been made in objections to a new restaurant’s application for an alcohol licence.

A council licensing meeting will be held later this week after a request from the newly opened AY Lounge and Bar at The Rock, Bury to serve alcohol.
The Rock and the nearby shopping centre of the same name, are at the heart of Bury town centre and house many, shops and food and drink outlets.

The licence application for the new ‘pan-Asian dining’ restaurant and bar, which opened earlier this month, requests permission to serve alcohol until 11pm, seven days a week.

However, in an indication of how the rise in town centre living can sometimes clash with the hospitality sector, an objector has requested the application be turned down as The Rock ‘is in effect a residential street’.

A panel of councillors are set to meet to decide on the application on Thursday, August 21.

They will consider an objection to the granting of the licence from a resident of the area which has been published by the council.

It states: “There are dozens of apartments on this side of the road.

“This stretch of The Rock, from the closed Wilko down to the junction with Derby Way does not, as far as I am aware, have any premises that serve alcohol at all on it.

“The only premises open past 8pm is the 24 hour vet, which is only a couple of doors down from the premises in question.

“While this stretch of the Rock is admittedly in the town centre, it is in effect a residential street.

“There is already unfortunate disturbance from revellers walking down it, but I feel a licensed premises being open, especially until that late at night,
is not in keeping with nor is it suitable for this area.

“I fear a licensed premises being allowed to open opposite so many residential dwellings, some of which have young children’s rooms facing the
premises, would have a very negative impact on the quality of life and peace of mind of all residents.”

An operating schedule, with conditions agreed by Greater Manchester Police has been submitted by Ay Lounge, in support of their application.

It includes CCTV requirements, the training of staff on preventing underage drinking and that customers are to be prevented from leaving the
premises with glasses or open bottles.