Concerns over 'creep' of late night opening in Shrewsbury

Members of Shrewsbury Town Council made the comments while submitting an objection to an application to change the opening hours permitted at Subway, at Claremont in Shrewsbury.

The application had requested permission to bring its planning permission in line with its premises licence, which allows it to open until 11pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and until 3am on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The licensing permission was granted in January last year.

In an objection submitted to Shropshire Council, the town council's planning committee said that its opposition is to the hours on Wednesday night.

It stated: "Members are mindful to support midnight opening on Friday and Saturday but are insistent that any opening beyond 11pm on Wednesdays is inappropriate for the area. Furthermore, the town council requests that conditions are imposed that requires door security at this location when opening hours extend beyond 11pm."

The council has also used the objection to voice its concerns over the "creep of late night opening" in the town.

The objection stated: "The town council has concerns over the cumulative affect of late night opening of establishments and the creep of late night opening beyond the established area around the west end of town; therefore the town council opposes this application whilst the opening hours remain as stated."

Former town councillor Andrew Bannerman, who has been a vocal critic of later opening hours at town centre pubs, fast food shops, clubs and bars, has also registered opposition to the plan.

In a letter he said: "Public protection has recently objected to a proposed bar right opposite Subway on Claremont Street staying open till 2am, on the grounds that there would be no way of controlling the noise created outside the establishment at closing time. Claremont Street is now heavily residential, not only because of the student accommodation in Mardol House, but because of residential accommodation opposite Subway.

"By remaining open till 3am three nights a week, Subway would be attracting large numbers of people leaving the late night bars in the adjacent West End, so making it very difficult for residents - and visitors in nearby hotels - to enjoy a reasonable night's sleep."

Mr Bannerman said he believed that planning guidance on night-time premises is now in favour of protecting residents.

He said: "The evening and night time economy planning guidance has reached a stage, where it is generally agreed that the overall welfare of the town is more important than increasing the profit of a few establishments."

Shropshire Council's planning department is yet to take a decision on the application.