Objections to plans to extend town's nightclub drinking hours

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council's planning and licensing panel will today decide if The Wesley Nightclub, The Emporium, Odesa and The Shades can extend their closing times on a Sunday, from 10.30pm to 12.30pm.

However, if the Sunday is before a bank holiday then the closing time may be extended until 2am the following morning.

Earlier this year, 15-year-old Stacey Laight, died after taking Ecstasy, while on a night out in Hartlepool with friends.

The youngster, from Horden, near Hartlepool, is also thought to have taken a cocktail of drink and drugs, while out in the town.

Residents living near The Wesley Nightclub on Victoria Road, have sent a letter to the council pleading with them not to grant the extension.

They are concerned that an extension in the licence will have an adverse impact on their quality of life.

The letter said: "We already have to tolerate general disturbances, visual intrusion and loss of sleep.

"Due to the recent tragic death of a 15-year-old we feel it would be ridiculous to add to any further troubles by extending times of opening."

In the past, Sundays have been quieter than Fridays and Saturdays, but over recent years the number of people going to the venues has increased.

A resident who lives near The Shades, on Church Street, said: "If the extra hours of music, singing and dancing are granted.

"I feel that we people will lose some peace and quiet, which we have a right to expect.

"We already have a large number of disturbances at present and we don't want this adding to it every morning."

All of the venues are located in the town centre area of Hartlepool and council officials have said there is the potential for increased noise disturbance in the streets surrounding them, which will be difficult to predict.

However, councillors are recommended to approve the plans when they meet today.