Neighbours call time on extra pub hours

Residents are fighting plans for longer opening hours and more entertainment at a Royton pub.

Oldham Licensing Committee will decide tomorrow whether controversial changes can go ahead at the Old Grey Mare, Oldham Road.

Licensees Philomena Robinson and Michael Crossley have applied to vary the premises licence.

The pub is seeking to extend the hours and widen the licence to include other activities such as indoor sporting events, performance of live music and the playing of recorded music and dancing.

The licensing department says that the activities would operate 9am to 11.30pm, Sunday to Thursday and 9am to 12.30am on Friday and Saturday.

Alcohol licenses would be sought from 9am to midnight, Saturday to Thursday and 9am to 1am Friday and Saturday.

Residents are unhappy about the proposed changes however.

Neighbours John and Sue Greenwood of Kevin Avenue, said: “Our principal objection is on the grounds of noise.

“Large numbers of customers are spending more time sitting outside all evening.

“This can be 30 or more people in a small area on some nights.

“As it gets later and they drink more, the volume of noise inevitably rises — shouting and laughter.

“On many nights this has not stopped until after midnight and sometimes 1.30am or later.

“These proposals for change would very likely increase the disturbance on most nights and could result in this level of noise going on until 2.30 in the morning.”

A spokesman for the Edge Hill Residential Care Home in Oldham Road, said: “The noise already goes on quite late and can be a nuisance at times.

“We think an extension would make matters worse and it is unacceptable for the elderly to be disturbed in this way.”

Another resident said he felt the hours were long enough. The pub door was often slammed causing a loud banging noise, he said.