Baneswell residents celebrate as bid to extend pub hours is defeated (From South Wales Argus)

Residents of Baneswell, Newport celebrate as bid to extend hours of The Angel Inn is defeated

5:30pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Keiligh Baker

Baneswell residents celebrate as bid to extend pub hours is defeated

RESIDENTS who protested against proposals to extend the opening hours of The Angel Inn in Baneswell were delighted yesterday when officers from Newport City Council rejected the application.

Residents from Baneswell clapped when the Licensing Sub Committee, chaired by Cllr Allan Morris, rejected owner John Pisani’s application for a variation of the current premises licence, which would see the pub open until 2.30am seven days a week.

Mr Pisani’s application, if successful, would have allowed alcohol to be sold until 2am, recorded music to be played until 2am and the performance of live music until 11.30pm all week.

Under the current licence, the premises can only sell alcohol from 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm.

The licence will only allow recorded music until 11pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 10.30pm on Sundays.

Around 11 residents attended the meeting, with most giving evidence to the committee.

Many complained of loud music, anti-social behaviour and feeling generally unsafe since the pub opened on December 26 2012.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "We know if the application goes through our lives will be a misery."

Another resident brought along a leaflet which advertised a student night at the pub with cheap alcohol offers.

The committee said this directly contravened Mr Pisani's application, which stated: "The premises will be a wine and cocktail bar targeting an older and exclusive patronage."

Mr Pisani attended yesterday's meeting and said he had only been made aware of residents' allegations at that meeting.

"I'm trying to attract trade as Newport city centre is dead before 11pm, it's a ghost town," Mr Pisani told the hearing.

Cllr Morris said: "Having carefully considered the application and the evidence given to the committee by residents and environmental health, we have decided we cannot support this application."

The committee said they could not approve the application for several reasons; including the pub's location and its proximity to residents, the fact the leaflet advertised to a different clientele to the exclusive one Mr Pisani described, residents’ concerns for their safety and the fact Mr Pisani could not name the current lease holder.

Cllr Morris added: "The sub-committee has found the evidence of the interested parties compelling.

"Of course, Mr Pisani has the right to appeal.

"Now I advise you both, the community and the pub, to work together. I suggest some co-operation, as it is in all your interests."