Pubs and bars in rush to offer late opening (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pubs and bars in rush to offer late opening

SALISBURY district council has received a flood of applications from pubs and bars hoping to extend their opening hours despite residents' concerns about noise, violence and antisocial behaviour.

The licensing team said about two-thirds of premises expected to apply for permission to serve drinks until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday had taken advantage of the changes in licensing legislation.

Now councillors will hold a series of meetings to discuss the applications and hear the concerns of people living nearby.

Scores of objection letters have been received, with residents claiming their lives have already been made a misery by the behaviour of late-night revellers.

They describe people vomiting and urinating in their doorways, discarded takeaway food and rubbish on the streets and shouting, violence and disturbance.

One Brown Street resident has kept a 'window war diary', which shows that drunken yobs are smashing windows most months.

Other householders have to put up with troublemakers ringing their doorbells in the early hours, and some letters even describe frightening scenes of thugs trying to kick down doors.

About 20 people have signed a petition to protest at plans to extend opening hours at the Winchester Gate pub, in Rampart Road, and many city centre residents fear the value of their homes could plummet.

Last night, councillors discussed an application for extended hours from the Queen's Arms, in Ivy Street, along with plans by the Cloisters, in Catherine Street, to serve alcohol until midnight in the week and until 1am at weekends.

In the next two weeks, decisions will be made on applications from the Five Bells Inn, in Salt Lane, the Royal George, in Bedwin Street, the George and Dragon, in Castle Street, the Anchor and Hope, in Winchester Street, the Salisbury Arms, in Endless Street, and the Winchester Gate, which wants to be able to open until 2am.

For full story see page 3 of this week's Journal.