NEIGHBOURS objecting to a pub’s plan to open until 2am on weekends had their concerns dismissed by licensing bosses who approved the controversial time extension.
The Green Dragon, on Cote Lane, Thurgoland, was discussed by councillors on Tuesday after licence holders Star Pubs and Bars sought a variation on its current agreement.
This was approved, despite neighbours attending the meeting at Barnsley Town Hall and their pleas for a re-think.
Its new opening times are Monday to Wednesday from 8am to midnight, Thursday from 8am to 12.30am, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 2am, and Sunday from 8am to midnight, with an extra hour added on the day British summertime begins.
On behalf of the applicant, George Domleo told the meeting that they aim to operate the pub as an asset to the community, saying the proposed change in opening hours would enable the business to diversify its offerings by providing breakfast and allowing customers to enjoy a longer stay.
The pub’s owner also agreed to install a CCTV system, operate a ‘Challenge 25’ policy and provide residents with a dedicated phone number and email address for the designated premises supervisor, to allow residents to make complaints directly at all times that the premises are open.
Management also scrapped other plans to extend the hours for live and recorded music to 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and the hours will remain unchanged, allowing music until midnight.
However, residents maintained their stance, saying there had been a dozen tenants in the last seven years and that the implications of extending its hours - particularly to 2am - would have a negative impact.
Martin Thorpe, who objected to the plans, told the meeting: “I don’t think any of us want to see the pub close.
“I think it’s an act of desperation to ask to open a pub 18 hours a day.
“It’s a ridiculous request - this is a residential village with young families and elderly people.
“It is very quiet village and we don’t want to see anything that disrupts that.
“It’s just not appropriate to extend.
“Selling alcohol is a serious business and it can have catastrophic effects on a community, if it’s mismanaged.”
Others also expressed concerns about the pub evolving into a ‘quasi-nightclub’, but Mr Domleo responded by saying precautions will be taken in order to manage the extension.
He added: “The venue is committed to develop and maintain good relations with local residents, its neighbours and the responsible authorities.
“The objective is to minimise disturbance to local residents and to ensure that the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance is being upheld along with other operational measures at the venue.
“All operational controls and management actions required by this noise management plan shall be instigated, and all staff shall be adequately trained in their role in implementing the plan.
“The venue will host live and recorded music and there shall be no live or recorded music taking place outdoors after 11pm.
“Staff will monitor the music levels to ensure no noise nuisance is being caused.
“Routine monitoring shall be regularly conducted around the perimeter of the premises when live music is taking place.
“Details of checks, observations and any actions taken as a result of such shall be recorded.
“The management on duty will be notified of any findings that may require immediate action.
“The importance of a sympathetic and polite response to complaints cannot be over emphasised as many problems can be defused by the right attitude and response.”
