An York pub has had its bid for a new pool and darts room approved.
York councillors have approved The Marcia Grey’s application to licence the new room which is set to be in an existing kitchen and storage area.
Piers Warne, lawyer for the Acomb Front Street pub’s owner Punch Taverns, told councillors the plans aimed boost mid-week trade amid pressure facing the industry.
But the pub’s next door neigbours objected claiming they already had to deal with a lot of noise from the pub and feared the conversion would make it worse.
Councillors approved the pub’s application on Thursday, June 26 on the condition music in its outdoor area is turned off after 9pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends.
The pub’s manager will also be required to make sure that customers leave the pub quickly when it closes and log complaints from residents.
Two objections were lodged against the application including one from its neighbour and another who claimed delivery lorries had obstructed their drive.
The objectors living next door to the pub said: “We get a lot of noise already from the bar area which affects our lounge and we worry the change would greatly increase the amount of people passing through and the noise.
“If this is the case it will affect our quality of living.”
One neighbour of the pub commenting in support of the plans said they would help provide space for customers during colder times of the year.
They wrote: “To ensure that this is a thriving business at a time when similar venues elsewhere are struggling, work like this is great.
“As someone with a house within audible distance of the pub, I can say the management have been very responsible about the impact of noise and behaviour considering it is a busy pub with late hours.”
Punch Tavern’s lawyer Mr Warne told councillors the pool and darts room came as part of a £120,000 investment into the pub.
He added the pub’s manager had already tried to work with neighbours to resolve any concerns. Mr Warne said: “By attracting pool and darts teams we’re hoping to make the pub more viable rather than relying on weeken