Proposed pub opening hours cause residents concern

Residents living near a Herefordshire pub have expressed their concerns over proposals to extend its opening hours into the early hours of the morning.

Under the changes, the Swan Hotel in Church Street, Kington, would be open until 01:00 every day of the week. A decision has not yet been made by Herefordshire Council.

Six complaints were submitted by people who live nearby, who said the suggested changes could create more noise and anti-social behaviour.

The pub said it would enable the premises to develop a programme of regular entertainment for its established customer base.

Currently, the pub can host performances of live music, dance, or other entertainment until 23:30 on Monday to Saturday and 22:30 on Sunday.

It can serve alcohol until 23:30 Monday to Thursday, 00:30 on Friday and Saturday, and 22:30 on Sunday.

The changes would see live and recorded music, dance, and any similar entertainment allowed until 01:00 every day.

The sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises would also run until this time, seven days a week.

The pub said steps would be taken to minimise disruption to neighbours, including signs asking patrons to leave quietly and monitoring of music levels.

Doors and windows would be shut from 22:30 during indoor entertainment, and outdoor entertainment would end by this time.

The outside area would be closed from 23:00, with the exception of people wishing to smoke or vape.

"With two pubs opposite each other the local residents have to put up with extra traffic and ‘jolly’ people making a lot of noise as they make their way home or to their cars," one resident said.

"If the licence were to extend later, we would have to endure it for longer periods for each music night and perhaps intensified noise and traffic."

One resident said the extension of opening hours would risk sleep disturbance.

"Extending music till 1am 7 days a week is tantamount to allowing a disco in a residential area and the outdoor request is ludicrous," they said.

Another added that they understood extending the opening hours on Friday and Saturday nights, but were "deeply concerned" about the pub being open so late every day.

In August 2023, the Licensing Authority wrote to the premises following a breach of its license, after people were seen dancing inside the pub, and loud music could be heard outside.

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