Sheffield Oktoberfest party given go-ahead despite concerns about ‘bawdy’ oompah band

True North Brew Co was granted permission to host the celebration in the beer garden of the Horse and Jockey at Wadsley Lane, Hillsborough.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 17 from 6 pm until 9 pm with 45 minute sets from an oompah band.

The well-known operators, which run more than a dozen venues across South Yorkshire, faced backlash for the plans from neighbours and environmental protection who were concerned about noise – particularly from the oompah band.

Neal Pates, environmental protection officer, said Oktoberfest was ‘by definition and tradition, a bawdy affair’ that would be ‘ill-advised’.

However, after much discussion, Sheffield Council’s licensing sub-committee decided to grant permission in a meeting this week.

Councillor David Barker, chair of the committee, said: “I’m not going to [announce] this like X Factor or whatever – the decision is to grant [permission].

“It was a difficult decision because the last event you had clearly wasn’t appropriate for the premises, it clearly caused problems with immediate neighbours and colleagues like Neal here were unable to do anything to help you manage that better because they weren’t aware of the type of event that was going to be for whatever reason.

“However, this seems to be a different event. You appear to be taking into account the needs of residents – it will be finished by nine o’clock and of course you are working on the basis that if this event also causes significant problems it will significantly reduce your chance of being granted any further temporary events at the premises.

“We hope that is not necessary and it is a successful event… The other thing that has stood you in good stead is that True North is not a company that historically has caused us licensing issues.”