Pub refused new licence after complaints by residents

3:36pm Tuesday 16th October 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A PUB has failed in its bid to get a new licence following complaints from police and the public.

The licensing panel at Bury Council rejected Kingsley Estate's application for a new licence for the Waterside, Kay Bridge, in Summerseat.

Kingsley Estate wanted alcohol and late night refreshments to be served from 10am until midnight Sunday to Thursday, with a 2am last orders on Friday and Saturday nights.

Representations against the proposals were originally received from Greater Manchester Police regarding the outside smoking area but the applicant had agreed it would be closed at 10pm.

Local residents objected on the grounds of the late opening hours and that criminal damage had often been caused by drunken individuals.' Inn Trade Associates Ltd held the previous licence but surrendered it on March 6.

Residents said they were subject to noise nuisance from entertainment and from cars arriving late at night.

Representatives of the new applicant said that they were aware of the negative image the pub had projected over a number of years and that they wanted to reassure villagers in Summerseat.

They said that they "did not want a nightclub atmosphere" but wanted to establish a friendly family pub and eating house.

A report prepared for the licensing panel said: "Residents believe that their previous bad experiences will be exacerbated as a result of the smoking ban which will result in a large number of the customers standing outside smoking, drinking and making a general nuisance into the early hours which will effect local residents sleep."

Resident Paul Nolan said to the applicant: "The pub represents a poisoned chalice. I urge you to walk away."

David Hilton, retired local police officer, said that the area was not safe and secure when the Waterside was in full flow.

Summerseat ward councillor Dorothy Gunther also gave her full backing to residents and opposed the application in its present form.

The panel of councillors were told by the applicant that the area outside the pub was fully covered by CCTV with 16 cameras.

Chairman of the committee councillor Roger Brown said the application was refused on grounds including lack of car parking space, noise pollution and the behaviour of people who had attended the pub in the past.

The applicants were told that they had the right to appeal .