A COMPANY looking to set up a 1,000-capacity pop-up pub has applied for an alcohol licence next to Leisure World - but bosses won’t know if the application has been approved until the week before it is due to open.

The application is part of a plan to run a Molly O’Reilly’s Irish Fun Pub on an area of astroturf next to Leisure World.

It will become “a sprawling 15,000 sq ft wonderland” for more than three weeks.

Large - the Leisure World astroturf is 15,000 sq ft in sizeLarge - the Leisure World astroturf is 15,000 sq ft in size (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) A public consultation about the licence closes on Friday, but the alcohol licence is not being considered by a council sub-committee until Monday, November 25.

The Irish “pub” is scheduled to open on Friday, December 6, and bookings are being taken for 11 further dates.

They include Saturday, December 7, Thursday, December 12, to Saturday, December 14, Thursday, December 19, to Saturday, December 21, Friday, December 27, Saturday, December 28, and New Year’s Eve.

The Gazette understands the alcohol licence is being considered by a sub-committee because the council has received representations from the public opposing the application, which has been submitted by Live Tour Promotions.

It is not known how many objections have been put forward, but it is understood they will be anonymised and published before the sub-committee meets later this month.

Information on the Molly O’Reilly’s Fun Pub website shows VIP packages of up to ten people cost £384.95 whilst individual tickets range from £22.95 to £32.95 depending on date of purchase.

An event description on the website also tells visitors to “expect a winter wonderland of live music and festive treats as the spirit of Dublin meets the energy of Oktoberfest”.

Application - Live Tour Promotions is hoping an alcohol licence will be approvedApplication - Live Tour Promotions is hoping an alcohol licence will be approved (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) A spokesman for Colchester Council confirmed the event will be subject to a decision made by the authority’s sub-licensing committee.

He said: “This premises licence application is scheduled to be discussed at our licensing sub-committee meeting, which will be held on November 25, 2024.

“The consultation period for this application is currently live and will close on November 8, 2024.

“All consultation responses will be included in the papers that the Licensing Sub-Committee will discuss.”

A spokesman for Molly O'Reilly's said: "We look forward to presenting to the licensing sub-committee our approach to promoting the licensing objectives for Molly O'Reilly's Irish Pub this Christmas.

"We are committed to working closely with the council and the local community to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all."