Dispute centred on courtyard beside Patrick Pool
A row has broken out between two central York bars after one operator sought permission to licence an outdoor courtyard opposite its premises for use as a beer garden and outdoor bar. The decision will be considered by City of York Council at a licensing hearing on Monday 7 September.
The application was submitted in July by Valhalla, the Viking-themed venue on Patrick Pool, which says the courtyard is a "beautiful, spacious but under-utilised" asset owned by St Sampson’s Centre and that bringing it into use will generate income for the centre.
“As neighbours Valhalla and St Sampson’s Centre have been in discussion for some considerable time about how the two venues can work together and support each other.”
Valhalla’s application describes the proposed area as a fully self-contained outdoor bar with toilets and says it would be staffed during busier periods. The venue also told the council it operates as a family-friendly location and has been run to high standards since opening in 2017.
Opposition from opposite premises citing safety and operations
A licensed premises directly in front of the courtyard has formally objected to the plan, arguing that its fire escape exits onto the courtyard and that licensing the space could create an "operational nightmare". Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) attempted to contact the nearby venue to clarify whether it lodged the objection but received no response.
The dispute highlights tensions that can arise when adjacent businesses and community organisations seek to make greater use of shared or neighbouring spaces. The proposal comes amid wider debates in the city about the evening economy, public space use and the management of venues in historic parts of York.
- Applicant: Valhalla (Patrick Pool)
- Owner of courtyard: St Sampson’s Centre
- Decision due: Licensing hearing on 7 September
Hours proposed and what is being sought
Valhalla has provided proposed opening and licensing hours for the courtyard. If councillors grant the application, the venue says the area would be licensed for the sale of alcohol for extended hours each day.
| Planned open hours (posted) | Proposed licensed hours |
|---|---|
| Friday & Saturday: 12:00–23:00 | Alcohol sales proposed 11:00–23:00 every day |
| Sunday: until 22:00 |
Valhalla says the courtyard will operate with staff present during busy periods and that all drinks will be served from a self-contained bar within the licensed area. The application also states the arrangement would support work run from St Sampson’s Centre, which offers activities and assistance to older people and those facing loneliness and isolation.
Local context and potential consequences
Licensing committees must balance a range of interests: supporting legitimate commercial activity and community fundraising while safeguarding safety, fire escape access and the impact on neighbouring operators and residents. The objection from the adjacent premises focuses on practical safety concerns linked to the fire escape and operational logistics.
Both the council and the licensing committee will hear representations at the meeting before making a decision. If approved, the beer garden would add to York’s licensed outdoor space offering — but the objections illustrate the practical challenges of introducing new uses into tightly built historic areas.
Residents and interested parties are expected to attend the hearing. City councillors will be asked to weigh the benefits Valhalla highlights against the safety and operational worries raised by the neighbouring venue and any other representations that emerge.
The issue will be watched closely by local businesses and community groups given its potential to set a precedent for other under-used courtyards and communal spaces across the city.
