Later pub opening sparks fears

CONCERNED residents fear an increase in anti-social problems fuelled by alcohol after another town centre pub was granted a late licence.Councillors in Babergh have approved plans to allow the Angel pub in Sudbury to remain open until 1.

CONCERNED residents fear an increase in anti-social problems fuelled by alcohol after another town centre pub was granted a late licence.

Councillors in Babergh have approved plans to allow the Angel pub in Sudbury to remain open until 1.30am at weekends.

But neighbouring residents in Friars Street have criticised the council's licensing sub-committee, claiming that it could increase “loutish behaviour”.

Resident Fiona Wheeler said: “My family have lived in this house since the 1920s and it is very dear to me, but we have had problems with drunks for more than 20 years.

“I'm not just blaming the Angel but giving these late licences to pubs, near homes, is just going to make the problem worse.

“All the residents have the same concerns. We have had some of our Georgian windows smashed and they can be very expensive to repair.

“And the noise can sometimes be frightening - my children won't even sleep in the front bedrooms. We have had people shouting and drunken men climbing our walls on occasions.”

In a letter to the council, neighbours Geoff Addison and Gena Nicholls said they were “horrified” by the proposals for the Greene King-owned pub.

“Thirteen years ago we bought our property aware that we were opposite a pub, but we were not aware of any future changes to licensing that may turn living here into a complete nightmare,” the couple said.

“Without any doubt we will suffer as a result of the increased activity and noise levels allowed through these new licensing laws, which have effectively permitted a nightclub in a pub that is adjoined and completely surrounded by residential properties.”

Members of the council's licensing sub-committee received more than 20 letters of objection to the proposals but passed the application, allowing the pub to remain open until 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Conditions were attached to the approval to ensure windows and doors remained closed while outdoor drinking would not be permitted after 11.20pm .

And Lorna Reynolds, the Angel's personal licence holder, told the EADT: “We are pleased that we have the late licence but we are confident that it will not lead to an increase in trouble.

“We have had no problems since we took over in December 2005 and we aim to work with residents to ensure this continues.”