THE FUTURE of a once popular Llandudno bar will be decided next week.
Conwy Council’s licensing sub-committee has until the middle of next week to decide whether to grant a premises licence for In Control Leisure Ltd to run Fountains Café Bar on Mostyn Street.
The bar was hit with a closure notice earlier this year following a serious assault near the premises.
The premises licence was surrendered by the previous holder in May 2025.
Now, Control Leisure Ltd’s designated premises supervisor Aaran Lennox had applied for a licence to reopen the café bar.
It was initially proposed for the licence to be in operation between 10am and 4.30am between Monday and Sunday, but residents residents raised concerns about potential disturbance in “a residential area”.
Mr Lennox agreed to reduce the hours to 10am until 1am Sunday to Thursday and between 10am and 2am on Saturday and bank holidays.
North Wales Police had submitted an official objection to the application, reminding the committee of “the seriousness of the past incident” before the premises licence was surrendered.
The police objection contained within the report said: “As there is no clear separation from the previous operator, premises licence holder or the owner of the venue this, in the opinion of North Wales Police, presents a risk to the licensing objectives specifically the Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Public Safety, and the Prevention of Public Nuisance.”
Conwy’s principal licensing officer had also advised any granted licence should “not allow any person involved in the management or supervision” of the previously surrendered licence on the premises during opening hours.
This was then contended by Mr Lennox’s solicitor Gillian Harradence.
Speaking on behalf of North Wales Police, licensing manager Mr Aaron Haggas said he hoped if the new licence was granted “the hope and aspirations of North Wales Police is it is a welcome and successful addition to the licensing economy of Llandudno ”.
Defending the new application on behalf of Mr Lennox, solicitor Ms Harradence said the new venture was being led by a “very experienced operator”.
“You’ve seen the application. This is a fresh application being made for the venue, completely new, and it is being made by a very experienced operator,” she said.
She went on to explain Mr Lennox had worked with police at a meeting to look at ways to manage noise.
“The application was modified; in particular, the hours were modified,” she said.
“There was a lot of discussion about minimising noise, to minimise any potential disruption to any residents, how to operate the venue as best as possible in this fresh application.”
She added: “To grant the licence would be a boost to the economy and to the town. It will provide jobs.
“It is a fresh application. It is a very experienced applicant, who is engaged with the police, wants to work with them, and knows how to run a well-run venue, and very brave in the cost-of-living crisis.”
The licensing sub-committee, which met at Conwy’s Coed Pella HQ yesterday (Wednesday), has five working days to reach a decision.
