Pub's late-night move ruled out

2:59pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

WALLINGFORD residents are celebrating after winning their battle to stop the Boat House pub staying open until 2.30am.

They convinced members of the South Oxfordshire District Council licensing committee that the move would lead to more anti-social behaviour and noise - and their views were backed by police and environmental health officers.

"There is sometimes mayhem in the town when people leave these premises and we do not want that extended into the early hours."

Roy Seddon

Even the town council, which owns the Boat House pub, objected to the licence being extended.

Jeremy Woodcraft, for the Burton-on-Trent-based Spirit group which leases the pub, said it wanted to see the Boat House go upmarket, be rid of its younger-end heavy-drinking image and be a centre for entertainment and eating for more mature people.

He said the pub now had sofas and soft seats to encourage people to sit and drink and enjoy each others' company, rather than stand at the bar and drink strong beers while watching football on TV. He said they intended phasing out the football matches.

But residents objected to the plan to extend licensing hours at weekends to 2am with drinking-up time to 2.30am.

Resident John Allen pointed out that the Boat House used to be just that - a small pub with a café, which rented out boats on the river.

He said; "Years ago a lot of money was spent building a massive conservatory. It was intended to be an upmarket restaurant - but it failed.

"There is no indication that the new ideas for the Boat House will fare any better."

Local resident Julia West told the Spirit group representatives: "We all think you have been sold a pup. The Boat House will never develop into what you are aiming for.

"We sympathise with you, but we have suffered vandalism and tremendous noise. It already keeps us awake. Having that same noise at 2.30am would be intolerable.

"Over the other side of the Thames there is a children's area and a popular caravan park for visitors.

"If they are kept awake into the early hours they will not come back to Wallingford - and it is those people were are trying to attract here, tourists and families."

Roy Seddon said: "The Boat House is a big pub holding around 400 people and if even a small percentage of the people emerging at 2.30am are noisy it will still represent a lot of people.

"There is sometimes mayhem in the town when people leave these premises and we do not want that extended into the early hours."

Thames Valley Police opposed the move and told the panel it was felt that granting the licence would lead to more crime and disorder and be a major strain on police resources. Mr Seddon summed it up for people living near the pub.

He said: "It is what we wanted and what we hoped for.

"Now we have a good decision that will help everyone heave a sigh of relief."

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