Dismay at pubs' plans to secure 1am licence (From Gazette & Herald)

Dismay at pubs' plans to secure 1am licence

RESIDENTS already plagued by late-night revellers causing trouble are fighting plans by two pubs to stay open until 1am.

The Hyde Park in Mill Street, Norton, and The Horseshoe Inn, Hall Garth, Pickering, have both applied to licensing officers at Ryedale District Council (RDC) to extend their opening hours.

However, people living near the premises have written to RDC opposing the move.

They have complained that they already have to put up with people fighting and damage to property, and have had to call the police to deal with trouble.

One resident says in a letter to RDC: "We have to put up with loud noise, swearing, fighting, damage to cars, people and property. I have had lights pulled off my wall and hay-baskets destroyed."

Another resident who "strongly opposes" the Pickering pub's 1am extension bid, says: "Drunks are now leaving the inn after 11pm, coming into Hungate, shouting swearing and fighting.

"The police have attended on a number of occasions. Vehicles have been damaged, bottles and glasses left on window sills, and there has been urinating behind cars.

"I feel that an extension of drinking time would make the situation worse. As it is, the noise goes on until 1am or 2am."

The Hyde Park wants to stay open an extra two hours each day, except Sunday when just one hour is being sought by owner Punch Taverns.

In addition, the company wants to serve alcohol an hour earlier each day and extra drinking time at bank holidays and Christmas.

But the environmental health department says there have been a number of complaints in recent years about noise from loud amplified music up to 11.30pm and the pub is close to several houses.

The department says it is concerned that live and recorded music and karaoke up to 1am will cause further nuisance problems for neighbours, and that they will be disturbed when people are leaving the Hyde Park in the early hours of the morning.

The department says that if there are to be changes to the licence, it should be restricted to 11pm during the week and 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The volume of noise should be subject to external checks.

Punch Taverns has told RDC that all doors and windows will remain closed when music is being played and the construction of the premises effectively insulates noise.

There will be "controlled dispersal" of people leaving the pub and action will be taken to curb crime and disorder.

The Hyde Park is a member of the police-approved pub watch scheme and the licensee is willing to take part in any voluntary scheme promoted by the police or RDC to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

The licensing committee, which will make the decision on whether to grant longer opening hours, will be told there have been no objections to the application from the police or from authorities dealing with fire, health and safety, planning or pollution.

At The Horseshoe Inn, licensee John Stones also wants to remain open until 1am and for entertainment to be allowed until 1am for such things as televised sporting events, and until 12.30pm for live and recorded music and dancing.

The police originally made representations on the grounds of protecting children, but Mr Stones has agreed to use a proof of age scheme and the police withdrew their concerns.

The fire authority has asked that a capacity figure of 60 people be included in the licence and RDC's environmental health department wants time limits on the playing of live and recorded music to 11pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and to 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

In addition, notices are to be put up asking customers to leave the pub quickly and quietly late at night.

The identities of the complainants have been protected by RDC.

A decision on the applications will be made on June 17.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, June 08, 2005