A Catholic social club in Kent has sparked controversy after winning approval for extended opening hours in the face of accusations of drug-taking, vomiting and urinating in the street.
Herne Bay Catholic Social Club secured permission to serve alcohol until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays in the wake of a heated licensing hearing at Canterbury City Council.
Ten local residents had formally objected to the club’s original request for a 1am licence extension, claiming their lives were already being made miserable by rowdy behaviour at the venue on the town’s Clarence Road.
The 65-year-old establishment, which sits next to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church, has also been granted permission for takeaway alcohol sales.
Ten local residents had claimed their lives were already being made miserable by rowdy behaviour at the Herne Bay Catholic Social Club
Resident Pat Irwin, who lives opposite the venue, played a recording of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean at the hearing to demonstrate the noise levels she was forced to endure at home.
“I did not expect to not be able to hear my TV over the noise with my windows shut – and I am not deaf,” she told councillors.
Another neighbour, David Clough, submitted written complaints about anti-social behaviour outside the premises.
“There is vomiting and urination in the street by members and noise nuisance, usually from drunk females crying and screaming about their boyfriend,” he wrote.
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The premises has received no complaints from the council or police – and club secretary Louise Quigley has hailed its place in the community
Clough also alleged drug-taking occurs on the premises, though police have expressed no concerns about the application.
Most objectors said they had complained to both the council and Kent Police.
The club mounted a defence through representative Michael Kheng, who highlighted that 70 per cent of its 600 members are over 45 years old.
“The premises has received no complaints from the council or police. The club has operated with no problems under the current certificate for 19 years,” Kheng told the hearing.
He also explained the new takeaway alcohol provision was limited in scope.
“This is to enable members to take home unfinished bottles of wine and purely that. It’s not intended for an off-licence,” he said.
And club secretary Louise Quigley, 40, insisted the club’s patrons were not troublemakers.
“We’re on a walkway from many other public establishments in Herne Bay, so a lot of the clientele wouldn’t come from our establishment,” she said.
Following deliberation, councillors granted a modified licence allowing alcohol service and music until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays – an hour less than requested.
Opening times were extended from 11.30pm to 12.30pm, with garden drinking permitted until 10pm. Regular weekday alcohol service will continue until 11pm.
Quigley has welcomed the decision, saying: “It’s really good news for us. The club is for Herne Bay and it’s a community, members’ social club.
“When we do have outdoor events – which tend to be in the summer – we send out leaflets and information to neighbours to make sure that they’re aware.
“Hopefully we can work with the neighbours and residents in the near future and keep sending out communications,” she added.
