By Liz HearnshawLATE-night noise and vandalism could spiral out of control if a controversial plan to permanently extend the opening hours of a nightclub are approved today, residents have warned.
By Liz Hearnshaw
LATE-night noise and vandalism could spiral out of control if a controversial plan to permanently extend the opening hours of a nightclub are approved today, residents have warned.
People living near Club Brazilia in Bury St Edmunds said the proposal - which includes granting permission for longer hours on both weekdays and at weekends - would result in more disturbance, litter and anti-social behaviour.
They have urged St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which will decide the application, to employ fair policies to all areas of the town after it rejected a plan last week for a blues bar on the basis of noise intrusion to nearby homes.
Temporary permission for the extension, until 12.30am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, was granted to the club six months ago.
The council's licensing committee must rubber-stamp the proposal at a meeting today if it is to be made permanent.
Responding to the residents' concerns, Steve Dennis, director of Luminar Leisure, which owns Club Brazilia, said new policies, introduced earlier this year, would help keep disruption to a minimum.
“The staff and management of Club Brazilia have always worked very hard to ensure that their residential neighbours are inconvenienced as little as possible by customers who leave this venue,” he added.
“There has been demand for the additional hours, particularly on a Sunday, for some time. However, the management do not wish this to create any additional concern for neighbours.
“The venue has therefore introduced a dispersal policy at around the terminal hour. This comprehensive review of good practice will maximise initiatives to minimise the effect of Club Brazilia on neighbours and the local community.”
Club Brazilia's application will be considered alongside a similar request from Whatever and The Avenue in the town's Kings Road to permanently extend their opening times by one hour until 1am on Tuesdays to Thursdays.
liz.hearnshaw@eadt.co.uk
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