Pub's plan for 3am opening branded 'inappropriate'

MANAGERS at a suburban pub are facing serious opposition from council officials who have described plans to open the premises until 3am every morning as “wholly inappropriate”.

Licensing chiefs are set to rule on an application submitted by the West End Hotel, on Glossop Road, Sheffield, but face calls to throw out the request to extend opening hours.

According to the application, measures will be taken to limit noise nuisance including ensuring that all windows and doors remain closed apart from to allow access to the premises.

It is promised that “staff will regularly patrol the outside areas to monitor for any escape of noise and to ensure noise levels do not disturb neighbouring property.”

The West End is a traditional pub close to Sheffield University’s main campus but environmental health and planning chiefs say this is not a good enough reason to allow 3am opening.

In a letter to Sheffield Council’s licensing board, which will meet to discuss the application on Thursday, environmental health officer Louise Thomas raises several concerns.

She says that neighbouring residents have already complained about noise from the pub and adds: “I am concerned that this application to vary the hours to 3am will increase the potential for noise disturbance and public nuisance.

“I am also concerned about the potential impact the later opening hours will have on residents who live beyond the immediate vicinity who may experience noise disturbance from customers walking home in the early hours.”

Head of planning Phil Abbott also writes in opposition, saying: “I understand that complaints have been received about nuisance from this venue in the past and this was on the basis of existing hours.

“To extend opening hours further would surely simply exacerbate the problem.”