Applicant Kelvin Ikechukwu wants a premises licence for 042 Bar and Restaurant in Soho Hill. He said it would provide a “controlled, sit-down dining environment”.
The site of 042 Bar and Restaurant in Soho Hill, Birmingham in June 2024. Taken from Google Street View.
But the application, seeking permission to sell alcohol from 9am to 3am seven days a week, attracted concern from Birmingham City Council’s Public Health team as well as numerous residents.
Public Health noted the Soho and Jewellery Quarter ward ranked 29th of 69 for deprivation in Birmingham, with around 47 per cent of children living in poverty.
“Nationally, alcohol is implicated in over 40 per cent of violent crimes,” they said. “In March 2025, 205 crimes were recorded in the area locally.
“Evidence indicates higher number of violent crimes are related to alcohol consumption than other categories.”
It said late-night licensing is a “known contributor to such incidents” and said “introducing an 18-hour trading venue […] risks creating a hotspot of alcohol-related disorder.”
Public Health ultimately said it would support the application with a number of conditions, including that alcohol sales ended by midnight instead and the strict enforcement of Challenge 25.
A number of residents urged Birmingham City Council to reject the application, saying there was a “well-established link between late-night alcohol consumption and anti-social behaviour”.
In response to the concerns raised by Public Health, the applicant argued that 042 Bar and Restaurant was “not an off-licence or takeaway outlet” and alcohol consumption would be strictly on-site.
“It provides sit-down dining and drinks in a controlled, mature environment,” Mr Ikechukwu wrote. “The clientele is predominantly African (Nigerian), aged between 30 to 60, who are more likely to engage in calm social dining than disruptive behaviour.
“This differs significantly from the typical late-night bar profile that attracts younger, high-risk patrons.”
He said the proposed late hours “do not imply a party venue or club atmosphere”.
“Rather it reflects the cultural tradition of evening dining and socialising common in African communities,” he wrote.
He said dispersal would be managed by trained staff and there would be “clear signage” advising patrons to leave quietly.
“Noise will be controlled through internal acoustic insulation and keeping doors closed during evening service,” Mr Ikechukwu said.
The premises will implement a “robust” Challenge 25 policy, CCTV, refusal logs and trained staff to “proactively prevent crime or anti-social behaviour,” he added.
‘Fewer residents’
The city council’s Public Health team noted that Soho Road faced “persistent issues related to anti-social behaviour, street drinking, and public disturbance”.
But Mr Ikechukwu clarified that 042 Bar and Restaurant was on nearby Soho Hill, which he argued had a “distinct character”.
“Unlike Soho Road, which is densely-populated with shops and residential properties, this location is more industrial and commercial units, with fewer residents and significantly less foot traffic,” he wrote.
“The location reduces the likelihood of the premises contributing to the street-based alcohol-related issues cited in your report.”
With the proposed conditions suggesting alcohol sales ceased at midnight, Mr Ikechukwu said he believed a “slightly later closing time”, such as 12pm to 2am, may still be compatible with public health and safety.
West Midlands Police said it would have no objection to the licence application if a number of conditions were imposed, including CCTV on site and that door staff are deployed from 11pm when trading past this time.
The application will be considered by a council licensing sub-committee on Monday, June 23.