Former Wolves Defender Mo Camara Seeks Extended Opening Hours for Tettenhall Wine Bar Amid Noise Investigation

A Tettenhall wine bar owned by former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Mo Camara is seeking permission to extend its late-night operating hours, even as it remains under investigation over ongoing noise complaints.

Chill Wine Bar, situated on the village High Street and opened in 2017, has applied to remain open until 1am—an additional 30 minutes—and to play both live and recorded music until 12.30am.

The application comes despite the venue having its licence suspended for one month last year following a July 2023 hearing, after being found to have allowed multiple lock-ins. Camara was also removed as the designated premises supervisor after staff served drinks to a full bar on consecutive weekends in February and March, in breach of a council warning.
He was, however, permitted to continue as the licence holder.

Council Raises Concerns Over Noise and Extended Hours

City of Wolverhampton Council confirmed it has no objection to the bar’s plan to introduce a first-floor function room, but expressed reservations about any extension to its operating hours.

Environmental health officers stated that there are historic and ongoing noise complaints relating to late-night disturbances, all of which remain under investigation.

The council’s licensing committee is scheduled to review the application on 9 December, following a separate licence review initiated by the council last month.

Police Oppose Removal of Door Staff

West Midlands Police have also objected to the proposals, particularly the bar’s intention to replace mandatory door staff on Friday and Saturday nights with “risk-assessed” staffing. Officers argue that the current arrangement provides essential oversight during peak trading hours.

Local Councillor and Residents Voice Frustrations

Cllr Jonathan Crofts, representing the Tettenhall Wightwick ward, said he has continued to receive complaints from residents since May regarding late-night noise at the venue.

“It is of great concern that issues appear to have persisted on multiple occasions, particularly on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings, despite a full review being undertaken in 2024 and another now under way,” he said in his objection.

In a separate objection, a resident living nearby accused visitors of showing a “history of disregard for local residents”, adding:

“We don’t blame the owner, but loud music, trouble, inconsiderate parking, shouting and swearing already occur. Extending the hours will only make matters worse. We live at the other end of the High Street and still put up with the disturbances. Many elderly residents live here—we are happy to have a bar in the village, but it must respect everyone.”

Previous Licence Review Highlighted After-Hours Trade

During the 2024 licensing review, officers reported that the bar often became the final stop for late-night revellers after nearby pubs closed at midnight. To address this, the wine bar agreed to reduce its closing time by 30 minutes to match surrounding venues and prevent crowds seeking a last-minute drink.

Licensing officers had initially recommended that Camara be removed as licence holder and that the premises be suspended for up to three months.

Representing Camara at the hearing, Lisa Richardson-Lewty acknowledged that he had made “poor management decisions”, but said the bar had since appointed an “experienced and knowledgeable” supervisor who was “a considered choice, not merely a name on paper”. She added that the business could not afford a three-month closure and was prepared to remove Camara as licence holder if required.

Council Criticises After-Hours Activity and Missing CCTV

Greg Bickerdike, the council’s licensing manager, dismissed claims that only soft drinks had been served after hours, calling the suggestion “fanciful at best”. He criticised Camara for repeatedly remaining open past licensed hours, even after receiving a formal warning.

“If he cannot understand ‘do not open past these hours’, then I don’t know how we can expect the other conditions to be followed correctly,” he told the hearing.

Camara was issued a warning and given 14 days to provide CCTV footage; however, the recordings submitted were described as “incomplete”.
A further complaint that the venue remained open after hours on 18 March was later confirmed by CCTV evidence.

Mo Camara’s Football Career

Mo Camara made 45 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the early 2000s and became a cult favourite among supporters.
The Guinea international also represented Celtic, Burnley and Derby County during his professional career.