Gareth Bale announces the opening of his controversial business in Bristol

It’s been a while since Gareth Bale stopped being news solely for his achievements out on the pitch. The footballer, who joined Los Angeles FC over the summer in search of the peace of mind and playing time he had been lacking at Real Madrid, may have found tranquility in the US but no consistency within his new team. The Californian franchise’s star signing is not responding to the expectations generated, having barely played five minutes during the last month.

Poor returns which hinder his preparation for the World Cup in Qatar - one of the Welsh forward’s priorities when he decided to join the MLS. His team hasn’t really needed him. LAFC were proclaimed Western Conference champions without him and now face an exciting MLS Cup final against Philadelphia Union next weekend.

In any case, the Welsh footballer has other interests and concerns with his business dealing away from football, with a focus on the hospitality industry, although with an eminent sporting flavour. The opening of the Elevens Bar & Grill in his Cardiff hometown in 2017 was Bale’s first foray into the sector, but this year he has doubled his bet with the opening of Par 59.

Bale launched a new business last March also in Cardiff - also related to his other sporting passion, golf - a leisure venue with a golf theme and influenced by British pubs, where revellers traditionally meet up to watch sports. On 9 December, the former Real Madrid soccer player will launch a branch close to Cardiff in Bristol, south west England.

However, getting the project up and running has not been a bed of roses. Bale encountered strong resistance from neighbours in the area close to the premises. According to a report presented to the city’s licensing committee, there is already a saturation of these types of bars and in the area - and concerns over the “high number of assaults and other crimes, including public disorder”.

“With every new night bar that opens, the noise and antisocial behaviour around the neighbourhood gets worse,” David Mair, from a neighborhood association, told UK media. However, the controversial project has gone ahead, although Bale has had to accept that his opening hours will be be reduced to avoid any more problems.

His commitment to this business model won’t stop there - he is keen to export his franchise to other cities including Exeter, Bath, Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh.