A licensing application for a ‘social distancing pop-up bar’ on Harpenden Common has been withdrawn.

Organisers had hoped to run the ‘summer bar’ and take-away on the common at weekends, between June 26 and August 9.

Customers would have been able to sit at tables and chairs – or take their drinks away for their own picnics.

And, according to the application, there would be background music ‘with a lovely summer vibe for Harpenden, lifting people’s spirits’.

But Hertfordshire Police objected to the application, which had been due to be determined by a meeting of St Albans District Council’s licensing sub-committee on Thursday.

And earlier this week landowner Harpenden Town Council said that even if the applicants were granted a licence, it would not allow the events to go ahead on its land.

There have been problems with public drinking in recent good weather. Fights broke out as large numbers of lockdown-flouting revellers gathered in High Beech, in Epping Forest, Essex, on Saturday, May 30.

The green space, outside the Kings Oak Pub, resembled a music festival with widespread drinking and drug use reported on social media.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Fighting erupted as large numbers gathered in High Beech on Saturday. Photo: @CrimeLDN

Shortly after 5pm police arrived at the green following reports of ‘large gatherings and people fighting.'

Now it has emerged that the Harpenden application has been withdrawn – so the hearing did not go ahead.

According to the licensing application the bar would have been in line with “all strict guidelines of social distancing”.

But Hertfordshire Police’s objection to the application said it would be ‘in conflict’ with an existing public spaces protection order and goes against current coronavirus health guidelines.

That order has been in place since 2014 and it makes it an offence not to hand over alcohol, if asked to do so by a police officer or an accredited council officer.

According to the application the pop-up bar would be open between 1pm and 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 12noon until 6.30pm on the Sunday.  And just 18 people would be allowed in the bar area.