Plans to expand the drinking areas of a York pub are to go before the council this week.
The Marcia Grey on Front Street, Acomb, wants to change its layout. What was the kitchen and a store room would become the pub’s ‘back room’, complete with pool table and darts.
To do that they need the pub’s alcohol licence to cover this extended customer area.
The proposal has prompted three responses from neighbouring residents, one in favour and two objecting.
The supporter writes: “The recent new management has breathed life into the pub and it has made use of the space for various events, but it is still limited for internal capacity and this is noticeable on wet or dark or cold days when fewer want to sit outside.
“As a local resident I have on multlple occasions entered the pub to get a drink, seen that there is zero seating, and left the venue. To ensure that this is a thriving business at a time where similar venues elsewhere are struggling, work like this is great.”
They also say that the pub managers “have been very responsible about impact on sound and behaviour considering it is a busy pub with late hours, and I do not believe that this will increase the noise for me or other local residents either”.
However, another resident says they already get a lot of noise from the bar.
They worry that the changes “would greatly increase the amount of people passing through and thus greatly increase the noise levels. If this is the case then it would affect our quality of living.”
And they add: “We are foster carers for York council, fostering young babies, and the noise level and potential increase in noise level would not be in any way welcomed or helpful.”
A second objector is concerned about the pub deliveries. “On a number of occasions now I have been obstructed when trying to leave my home by delivery lorries completely blocking the access road.
“This has made me miss appointments and be late for work as a GP in a local practice.
“I was told that the purpose-built cellar access to the rear of the pub, where the delivery lorries could park in the pub car park without causing an obstruction, is no longer in use, and they are instead using the side cellar access and hence every time there is a delivery they block the road for up to 30 minutes at a time.”
In a response, Piers Warne of the owners of the Marcia Grey, Punch Taverns, says beer deliveries “are scheduled for Tuesdays between 10am and 2pm to avoid rush hour traffic.
“Over the last five weeks these have been around 10 to 10.30am.
“Whilst we appreciate this can cause frustration, there is nowhere else suitable for the dray to park with reasonable access to the cellar drop. In the case of an emergency, a resident can always seek the manager or driver and they will try to assist as best they can.”
He also said they were installing noise insulating plasterboard to dampen any sounds from the new section of the pub.
Mr Warne adds: “Works are being undertaken to restore the premises and improve its facilities for customers, including adding the new area.
“It is expected that around £120,000 is being spent to renovate the pub. The publican employs 6 staff (full and part time) – all local – and have sought to ensure that the premises provides a welcoming and thriving local pub.”
The Marcia Grey’s application will go before the licensing committed on Thursday (26 June).