Subtone nightclub in Cheltenham wants to party until 6am
A CHELTENHAM nightclub wants to serve alcohol until 6am – paving the way for around-the-clock drinking.
But neighbours of Subtone, in Imperial Square, say it will only make late-night noise and antisocial behaviour worse.
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Concern: Alcohol campaigner Con Twomey
They are calling on Cheltenham Borough Council to throw out the extended hours application.
They say they are already losing sleep because of over-enthusiastic revellers. Some local businesses, however, have expressed their support for the club.
If its application is successful, Subtone would become only the second venue in the town to serve alcohol until 6am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the other being the Night Owl in the High Street. It is currently able to serve until 5am on those days.
Campaigners against alcohol abuse said they were worried approval of the application would lead to an increase in antisocial drinking.
Their comments come after the Government signalled its intent to cut down on 24-hour drinking.
In the summer, Home Secretary Teresa May ordered a review into late-night drinking, saying that the law was not working. Earlier in the year, former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said around-the-clock liquor licensing had been a mistake.
Charles Horn, who lives less than 200 metres from Subtone, urged councillors to reject the application.
The father-of-two said: “Problems with the club have been ongoing for the past 18 months and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been woken up in the middle of the night.
“I have no problem with the club until it keeps us up all night with its noise.
“I don’t care if they want to have a 24-hour licence for drinking, as long as it doesn’t impact on neighbours.”
In a letter of objection sent to the council, Mr Horn, a mediator for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said the club had breached its current licensing conditions.
He is one of six residents objecting to the application.
If approved, live music and dancing would also be extended until 6am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and alcohol would be available until 4am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as 3am on Sundays – a one-hour extension for each day.
Alcohol abuse specialist Con Twomey, from Chipping Campden, has supported residents’ arguments against the extension. He added: “I just don’t see the benefits that are gained from having alcohol supplied at that hour.”
But club owner Ian Underhill, 44, said: “We are a long-established venue with a broad base of customers and we appeal to a broad spectrum.
“We want to provide a good place for people to come to relax and unwind.”
Sheila Heath, of neighbouring CGT Lettings said: “They have always cleaned up after themselves and I can’t say we’ve anything to complain about.”
Subtone’s application will be decided by the borough council next Wednesday at 10am.
11 Comments
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by chris, glos
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 7:38PM
“luckily i dont live near any nightclubs but i do have some sympathy for those who do and are unhappy with the noise level. Back on topic, im against subtone staying open till 6am as its just an insane time to be out till. Whats wrong with keeping it at 2, i dont see the sense in wanting to open till 6am, i go home about 2 as around then im just so tired i want to go home,”
by George, Chelt
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 6:53PM
“If you need an alcoholic drink at 06.00 don't go to a nightclub, go to a doctor!
Don't any of you people work for a living?”
by Mary S, Chelts
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 3:41PM
“The problem with being kept awake all night by drinkers isn't just one for those living in the immediate vicinity (although I do appreciate they will be the worst hit due to music noise & drunkenness outside the venue). The noise and destruction (damage to cars etc) caused by late-night drinkers on their way home extends out from the town centre to outlying areas, ruining sleep for residents who live a good 10-15 minutes away from the clubs - I should know, I live in one of these areas. Since the relaxation of the laws, things have got much worse.
Extending the license until 6am is unnecessary. When are residents supposed to get any sleep?
TiG ¿ PLEASE sort out your comments system, it took me 4 attempts to post this!”
by anon, gloucester
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 2:56PM
“This club is obviously for the feckless who do not work. I just hope the club donates thousands of pounds to the NHS for alcohol deseases”
by Arthur, Cheltenham
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 2:17PM
“6am! Is it April 1st? They must be having a laugh ...... surely?”
by more sherry Vicar?, cheltenham
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 1:31PM
“Alcohol abuse specialist Con Twomey, from Chipping Campden,
How does anyone become an "Alcohol Abuse Specialist??”
by Dave, Cheltenham
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:57AM
“I expect the staff at CGT Lettings do not live above the club, but employ staff working day shifts - as do a lot of residents.
Subtone want to provide a good place for people to come to relax and unwind - which all sounds rather cosy - they omitted the bit about uplifting their alchohol sales.
I'm with Charles on this one.”
by Kath, Chelt
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:32AM
“Alfredo - You CAN work alcohol through your system more quickly by dancing, I have done it many a time!
JLT - I don't think policing is a 9-5 job, I believe that you will find that policework has a 24 hour remit!”
by Alfredo, Cheltenham
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 10:11AM
“*Mike* - people don't sober up because they're dancing.
The figures the BPPA uses to suggest that people are drinking less don't include figures from nightclubs. So, while we as a nation may well be drinking less, there's a hard-core of people who'll hit the bars at 7pm and then rock on till dawn, and those are the people that cause the problems.”
by JLT, GLOUCESTER
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 9:56AM
“I would be interested in what the Police and the Council think of this. Are the Police going to work latter into he night? If they do who is going to pay for them? Given that the County Council are about to release their cuts spending back figures I can't see the Police being able to cover the later hours and the increase in alcohol related crime and disorder. I also doubt very very much that the Council willbe able to do anything about the noise monitoring or the complaints that will follow. Granting this extention will be a grave error.”