A family was “astonished” to hear “shouting and yelling” in Harpenden High Street.

The complaint features in a 41-page evidence pack which district councillors will look at as part of a hearing, due on Tuesday, April 23.

Hoo House at 72 High Street has asked St Albans City and District Council for permission to serve alcohol and host live music until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.

The venue’s existing alcohol licence covers the period 10am until 11pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am until midnight Thursday to Saturday, and 12am until 10.30pm on Sunday and Good Friday.

Its existing live music licence covers the period 12am until midnight Thursday to Saturday and 1pm until 10pm on Sunday.

Venue representatives will make their case before councillors at Tuesday’s hearing.

Neither Hertfordshire Constabulary nor the council’s environmental health team – both “responsible authorities” – have objected to the application.

Government guidelines updated in December 2023 set out a “general principle” that “the licensing authority must grant the application” if responsible authorities do not comment on it.

The authority has said it received 26 representations from members of the public, including objections, which triggered the hearing.

“One weekend night earlier this month, I was walking home from the station with family members,” an objector wrote.

“There was a group of people outside Hoo House, clearly drunk, who were shouting and yelling, and two young women seemed to be fighting.

“We didn’t want to get involved so didn’t look too closely.

“My family commented on how astonished they were to see and hear such behaviour in the centre of Harpenden.

“I believe it would only be more common an occurrence if the licensing hours were to be extended.”

Another objector wrote: “The subject premises are in close proximity to residential properties both on the High Street above the existing retail units and also in the surrounding residential roads.

“Grant of the extension to allow live music and corresponding alcohol consumption will undoubtedly lead to excessive noise and disturbance to the residents of these roads well into the early hours, causing public nuisance.

“Essentially the premises would become a ‘nightclub’ and this is a wholly inappropriate location for such an enterprise.”

One objector sent photographs of a group of people gathered in High Street, Harpenden, in front of the venue.

A Kirkwick Avenue resident described the 2am last orders time as “unnecessarily late”.

Hoo House’s website sets out its “mission” as “to provide a unique and inclusive space where everyone can unwind, connect, and celebrate life’s little moments, to be Harpenden’s go-to destination for entertainment and events.”

The website adds: “From live DJs to the clinking of cocktail glasses, Hoo House is where Harpenden comes to unwind.

“Nestled conveniently on Harpenden High Street, we offer a curated experience that combines quality drinks and a calendar full of live entertainment and theme nights.”

According to the district council, the venue has agreed to a series of conditions, if councillors agree to alter the hours.

Among them are a pledge to employ accredited door staff on Friday and Saturday nights, a pledge to display a sign asking patrons to “please leave quietly and respect the neighbours”, and a promise to shut all windows and doors – except for entries and exits – after 10pm.