An application to vary the premises licence for Tenby United Rugby Football Club, has been granted, despite concerns raised by local councillors and nearby residents.

The application, submitted by the premises located in Upper Frog Street, seeking an extension of its opening hours was given the go-ahead by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee, when the matter was discussed at a meeting of County Hall in Haverfordwest on Tuesday.

The club will now be permitted to stay open until 1.30 am, Sunday to Monday, and 2 am on a Friday and Saturday, allowing for the supply of alcohol up until 1 am and 1.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 am for the rest of the week.

One objector who addressed the meeting, Mrs. Caroline Thomas, who resides four doors away from the Rugby Club, above Clarice Toy Shop, told the committee that her main worry if the extended licensing hours were granted, was the extra noise she would have to put up with into the early hours of the morning.

“At the moment, with the present licence, the music stops at midnight, meaning I can then go to sleep,” explained Mrs. Thomas, before pointing out her other big concern - the public nuisance caused by the outdoor drinking area.

“The idea that registered door persons will only be used after 8 pm on a Saturday night can only exacerbate this problem,” she continued.

“The outdoor area is used all day long and especially on a Saturday in the busy season, and becomes so noisy and intimidating that shops are having to close early and people are put off walking past the club.

“It would be sensible for registered door staff to be on duty on Saturday afternoons and possible other afternoons as well, particularly during the summer season,” added Mrs. Thomas, who said that she wished the rugby club ‘no harm’ as her father was once president and both her husband and son previously played for the side.

At a recent meeting of Tenby Town Council, members outlined their objections to the application.

Clr. Laurence Blackhall said that he did not feel it was acceptable for the outside area to remain open to the public for the consumption of alcohol until 1 am, and suggested that this area be restricted to an outdoor smoking area only after 10 pm.

Clr. Paul Rapi felt that the council should object to the variations, stating that, as it stood, he had had complaints about late night noise and swearing from outside the premises, and that the extended hours would possibly escalate the situation.

Councillors agreed that they should oppose the proposed variations, particularly the change in door management, as it could result in a potential increase in crime and disorder and noise nuisance contrary to licensing objectives.

It was further proposed that no consumption of alcohol take place in the outside seating area after 10 pm to preserve the amenity of neighbouring residents.

However, the town council’s representations could not be heard at the meeting on Tuesday, as it could not be proved that the objections were received within the 28-day consultation period, despite the licensing sub-committee chairman, Clr. Thomas Tudor, being told during discussions that the papers had been ‘mislaid’.

The licence variations for the Rugby Club were granted, with the applicants volunteering to ensure that door staff monitored the outside beer garden area from 1 pm onwards on Saturdays, even though they were under no obligation to do so, to address residents’ concerns.

The licensing sub-committee did state that PCC’s licensing team should monitor the condition that SIA door staff would only be employed on a ‘risk assessment’ basis to ensure that the club maintained its obligations in relation to control of crime and disorder and public nuisance.