RESIDENTS have reacted angrily to a hotel’s plans to extend its bar opening hours to 2am.
The Holiday Inn, Lower Mersey Street, Ellesmere Port, has also applied to open until 5am on New Year’s Day.
Nearby residents have hit back, saying they already endure anti-social behaviour and noise pollution with the current 11pm closing time.
Holiday Inn bosses have told licensing officers they are seeking opening hours of 8am-3am and licensing hours for drinks, music, dancing and entertainment of 8am-2am.
The hotel would open until 5am on New Year’s Day with drinks and music until 4am.
The Locks Bar and Restaurant is currently open until 11pm Monday to Saturday and until 10.30pm on Sunday.
Residents of the hotel and their guests would be able to buy drinks 24 hours a day.
The borough council has had eight objections with Tony Scott, on behalf of occupiers at Raddle Wharf, claiming residents suffer from periodic and seasonal disturbance from noise and anti-social behaviour involving visitors and guests.
Another resident, Sarah-Jane Fisher, opposes says she experiences ‘frequent’ issues with noise and can hear music in her flat when doors and windows at the hotel are not kept shut.
Mark Tilstone argues he already suffers noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour between 10pm and midnight, particularly during weekends in the summer when drinkers congregate in the car park.
Environmental protection specialists at the council say they would like to see conditions to deal with noise including doors and windows being kept closed when entertainment is provided.
They also say the hotel should carry out regular checks and take steps to reduce the level of noise where it is likely to cause a disturbance to local residents.
Outside areas linked with function rooms facing Telford’s Quay, Raddle Wharf and South Pier Road should close at 11pm, Sunday to Thursday, and at midnight on Friday and Saturday, they feel.
Drivers and customers using the car park should also be aware they must arrive and depart as quietly as possible.
The application is due to be considered by councillors on Tuesday.
