Residents fight Formby restaurant’s midnight alcohol bid

Jun 24 2009 by John Siddle, Formby Times

Residents have mounted a stand against a Formby restaurant’s bid to sell alcohol

RESIDENTS are campaigning against a Formby restaurant’s bid to sell alcohol until midnight, seven days a week.

Neighbours of Black Pepper on Three Tuns Lane fear anti-social behaviour and sleepless nights if Sefton Council grants a premises licence next month.

The restaurant – once known as The Italian Kitchen – is set to reopen after the previous owner left.

Permission is being sought to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 10am.

Solicitors for the applicant, City Centre Restaurants (UK), insist that drink will only be served to diners eating at the restaurant, which will not be run as a wine bar or pub.

But pensioners living in retirement flats nearby have petitioned against the application say it could affect their health.

It reads: “We are deeply concerned about the proposed premises change and the effect it could have on our retirement years. There are many elderly residents living in York Manor, some in very poor health, and we feel we have the right to enjoy peace and quiet.

“From previous experience, we can expect the sound of loud music, the shouting of late-night revellers departing for home, taxi doors banging, smokers standing outside creating noise, cars parked on our forecourt and even fighting and vandalism.”