Protest over hotel's late night plans
Worries that an application by the owner of the Boscarn Hotel to extend his entertainments and liquor licences will lead to an escalation in Looe's street disturbances, has prompted a good deal of protest from local residents, and from the Town Council, who have unanimously recommended the proposal for refusal.
Mr Allan Stone, who took over as the new owner of the Boscarn in August last year is applying to Caradon Licensing Committee to extend his entertainments licence from 12pm to 1.45am, and to the East Cornwall Magistrates for permission to keep the bar open until 1am. Both of these extensions would apply for six days a week, not including Sundays, and would be all year round.
Twelve councillors were present at a council planning meeting, chaired by Councillor Robert Bye when the application for the entertainments licence only, came up, councillors not having been informed of the liquor application. Retiring councillors Jean Grimer and John Simmonds MBE, were amongst those who had sent letters of protest about the application.
Councillors endorsed the views of residents and some business owners that the later hours would only increase the disturbances which already occurred in the town's streets late at night. Mayor David Bryan thought it would have been better if Mr Stone had gone for a fixed month's trial over one or two nights to see if the later hours would make a notable difference. However, councillors in general thought it was not the running of the Boscarn itself which was a problem, but its position on the seafront which meant that the majority of the people leaving the premises late at night had to walk the entire length of the town to go home.
Mr Stone says the problems in Looe often occur because the people leaving the pubs and the Boscarn all tend to start turning out together so there is a large number in the streets. 'If my hours were later, my customers would not all leave at once which would be better all round' he said. 'Also those coming to the Boscarn bring trade to other businesses in Looe. Many eat in the restaurants and visit the pubs before coming to my premises'. Mr Stone said a lot of his customers also left directly in taxis so were not a problem, but many complained about the present early closing time of 12pm and were leaving Looe for Newquay and Plymouth where 2am was the 'norm'. He said people who worked in bars and restaurants until late liked to have somewhere to go after work. 'I have had no complaints from the police or health and hygiene' he said. 'I have four cameras recording 24 hours a day which also cover the street, I have fully trained doormen registered with the council and police, and I have also refurbished the disco and bars'.
Mr Stone said that although the new licences, if granted, were for six days a week, they would probably only be used for three days in the season and two during the winter.
During Eclipse week in August all licensed premises in Cornwall have been given permission to sell liquor until 12.30am.