A YOUNG businesswoman has won the right to extend the hours of her bar.

Stephanie Bratby, 21, of Skelmanthorpe, started Henry’s Coffee and Wine Bar in May and two months ago applied to extend her licence.

Despite fierce objections from several residents, Kirklees Council licensing panel yesterday granted the law student the right to extend her alcohol licence and closing hours.

Although the final hours agreed by the panel were slightly earlier than Stephanie had originally applied for Stephanie said: “I am delighted with the decision, it just means longer hours to build up the custom.

“There will be more food options and our business will hopefully continue to grow.The objectors have a right to put their opinions across but I would like to thank the licensing committee for weighing up both sides to come to their decision.”

Stephanie, who has a law degree and is still studying a legal practice course at Huddersfield University, took over the premises from her mum Wanda.

For the past seven years, Wanda had run a children’s clothes business from the site.

Yesterday chairman of the licensing committee, Clr Masood Ahmed, said: “I would like to make it clear, your original licence was never in question, we are a reasonable panel and our final decision has been made in light of the application and the objections.”

Henry’s Bar was granted a 10am to 10pm alcohol licence Sunday to Thursday and a 10am to 11pm license Friday and Saturday.

The licence for custom Sunday to Thursday will be from 10am to 10.30pm, with a 10am to 11.30am licence on Friday and Saturday.

A licence has been granted for live music Thursday to Sunday from 12pm to 10pm and recorded music 10am to 10pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

The application for a dancing space was denied.

During the hearing, objections came from nearby residents who had concerns about noise, increased pedestrian traffic along Lodge Street and parking problems.

Vanessa Marsden, lives in a neighbouring property and came from the Residents Association, she said: “I am not objecting to the licensing as it stands but for the new application.

“I feel that if the bar closed at 11pm, that would be sufficient.”

The bar originally closed at 10pm.

Despite Stephanie saying that her music is more “Tony Bennett and Michael Bublé”, other residents had concerns that if the licence was granted, music with heavy base would be played during the evening and clientele would increase.

Wanda Bratby said: “I am a very proud mum, Stephanie has done really well.”