Wetherspoon’s bid to extend opening hours sparks protest

Bath’s Wetherspoon pub wants to open earlier and stay open later into the night by an extra two hours. JD Wetherspoon plc has applied to Bath and North East Somerset Council for permission to vary its trading times - but faces opposition from local politicians. The company said its application should be permitted because the pub was on a “main route” into the city and there were other pubs and restaurants in the area which is popular with people “late at night”. “Many of the public houses within the vicinity of this site stay open until 1am Friday and Saturday,” it added. But Councillor Andrew Furse said the city centre pub already creates “noise and disturbance” with its 11.30pm Monday to Saturday closing time. The Liberal Democrat member for Kingsmead ward said James Street West was “not really” a main road as Wetherspoon stated. He said: “There is no recognition that even today at late hours there is noise and disturbance from the premises from patrons smoking outside on James Street West. There is no recognition that today late night and early morning noise is generated from the pub at the rear. “For example, disposing of bottles at closing time and collections happened around 6am on some days.” Mr Furse said he was “disappointed” the application would be decided by council officers rather than its development management committee. “I would add that we need to ‘protect’ the residential amenity otherwise ordinary residents will be ‘driven out’ by planning policy shifting towards late night drinking and leisure establishments, or student only accommodation,” he said. If granted, Wetherspoon would be able to open 7am until 12.30am Sunday to Wednesday, and 7am until 1.30am Thursday to Saturday.