A new restaurant and karaoke bar in the heart of Norwich city centre look set to be given the green light, but an objection by police is likely to limit the opening hours.

Jeeves Investment Ltd is seeking permission to convert the upper floors of a building in Gentleman's Walk – above H Samuel and the Hotter Comfort Concept shoe shop and currently vacant offices – into a restaurant and karaoke bar.

Norwich City Council's planning committee is due to make a decision on whether to allow permission when it meets a week today.

But, with the applicant proposing opening times of midday to 2am Monday to Thursday and from midday to 2.30am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, that has sparked an objection from Norfolk Constabulary.

The police say the building is outside of the city centre's specified late-night activity zone and no premises beyond that area should be allowed to open beyond midnight unless it can be 'clearly demonstrated' that there is no detrimental impact on the living conditions of people living nearby or that there is no potential threat of crime and disorder to the public.

In her report to councillors, planning officer Caroline Dodden, recommends that members of the planning committee give planning permission to the scheme, but with controls on opening times.

She wrote: 'It is considered that the information submitted to support the planning application does not adequately demonstrate or justify the operation of the premises, which does not fall within the late-night activity zone, beyond midnight.

'Consequently, if approved, it is proposed to attach a condition requiring the property to be closed between 12.01am and 7am on any day.'

And she concluded: 'Overall, it is considered that the proposed use as a restaurant and karaoke bar would bring beneficial activity back to the upper floors of 13-14 Gentleman's Walk, which would enhance the vitality and vibrancy of this part of the city centre, particularly in the evenings when the area is generally much quieter.'

The application does not state what the new restaurant would be.

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