Neighbours object to Leyland bar extending its opening hours

Indigo, at the junction of Chapel Brown and Fleetwood Street, has applied for a change to its licence to extend the premises into a former cafe next door and relax the restrictions on drinking times and security.

But householders living in Fleetwood Street say granting the licence would increase the impact the bar has on its neighbours, some of them families with young children.

Owner Daniel Hindle wants to take over the cafe directly below the upstairs premises and make the bar into a two-floor establishment.

He has asked for permission to open until 1am on Friday and Saturdays and midnight for the rest of the week - an hour longer every day. And he says the club can cope without door staff on duty every night, with a manager and bar staff able to control customers subject to a strict risk assessment.

His application, along with six objections from residents, will be debated by South Ribble's licensing panel on Tuesday.

One neighbour in Fleetwood Street says longer opening hours and a lack of door staff could have an impact on residents.

"This will result in a lot of customers leaving the premises in the early hours," said the householder who asked not to be named.

"This would be unacceptable and cause disturbance to the residents of Chapel Brown and Fleetwood Street."

He added that the removal of door staff would mean there would be no-one to shepherd customers away from the area. And he added: "As a resident I believe there is a fundamental right to lead a quiet life without disturbance from revellers."

Another Fleetwood Street resident said: "The bar is sited in very close proximity to residential properties. The residents want and expect the right to live in a peaceful environment without their way of life being disturbed by revellers."

And a householder living next door to the club added: "I believe the pub and the residents could live along side each other quite peacefully, however there seems to be an incessant need to play music at ridiculous levels.

"Every Friday and Saturday night, without fail, I can hear the thudding sound of the music coming from next door. As the current opening hours already drive me to distraction. I implore you to take the above into consideration when making your decision."

In his application to the council, Mr Hindle says he is aware of the importance to ensure customers leave quietly and are dispersed quickly.

He says that he will ensure that a manager with a licence will be on duty at peak times, together with "sufficient" staff (and door staff where necessary) to adequately manage customers' arrival and departure and during their stay.