Concern over pub's bid to stay open for longer

Residents fear a bid by a popular Leicester pub to extend its opening hours could result in "unbearable" noise and anti-social behaviour.

The Donkey, in Welford Road, has applied to Leicester City Council for permission to remain open for up to three hours longer than it currently does.

The authority has received 56 objections to the extended hours from residents who said it would lead to more noise and disruption in the early hours.

The venue has told the council it believed its application would not have an adverse impact on the area.

The pub, which hosts live music performances, wants to stay open until 02:30 GMT on Mondays and Tuesdays, 04:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 05:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

It can currently open until 01:30 Monday to Wednesday, 02:30 on Thursday to Saturday and 01:00 on Sundays.

The pub also wants to be able to play live and recorded music and serve alcohol until 30 minutes before closing each night.

The pub is further seeking to extend those opening times by another hour on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and the Sundays before bank holidays, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Noise officers at the council have raised concerns over loud music and raised voices, which they said could result in "sleep deprivation" for residents.

They recommended the council's licensing committee refuse the changes when they discuss them on Wednesday.

Patrick Kitterick, Green councillor for Castle ward, said residents could be disturbed by both noise from the pub itself and the coming and going of customers.

He said the requested opening hours were "utterly inappropriate" for the location.

In its application, the pub said it had operated as a music venue for years and was not aware of any complaints in the past, adding: "The venue has always worked with neighbours to ensure no nuisance is caused."

It said it had carefully considered the application, which would allow customers to "continue their night in a safe and comfortable environment".

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