A PENSIONER who started a petition because of fears about noise from a 1,000-capacity pop-up pub has said she was “amazed” how few people knew about the plans.
Frances Hance, 82, began polling residents last week after she was told about the alcohol licence application which could allow the setting up of a Molly O’Reilly’s Irish Fun Pub next to Leisure World.
She said signage which advertised the application was not visible enough and meant the plans would have received fewer objections as a result.
After she told by a friend who had seen the application sign, Mrs Hance, of Cowdrey Avenue, took it upon herself to speak to residents even though there were only two days left for people to object.
She said: “We only found out about it because some friends of ours were walking at the back of the astroturf near Leisure World.
“I am really desperately worried about the noise.
“I am not a person who wants publicity or anything, but I was worried about that and the effect on neighbours – there are quite a few old people and carers for disabled children here.”
Live Tour Promotions, which has been working with Molly O'Reilly's to organise the event, is responsible for the signs and Colchester Council has said they have fulfilled their legal obligations by informing people about the application.
A spokesman for Molly O'Reilly's has said they are "extremely confident" about the plans and added refunds would be issued to customers if the alcohol licence was rejected.
He said: “As experienced global events producers, we are extremely confident in our plans to promote the licensing objectives while delivering Molly O'Reilly's in Colchester this Christmas.
"In the event that Molly’s was unable to trade in Colchester for any reason whatsoever all tickets will be refunded in full.
"Our application has received no representations from any local authorities including the police and environmental health officers.
"We remain committed to working closely with all authorities and the local community to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.”
But Mrs Hance, who is a former schoolteacher and has lived in Cowdrey Avenue for 41 years, remained unconvinced: “It is completely the wrong place.
“I thought of the effect on the children at the skate park – you’ll end up with the sort of bad behaviour like you get on the High Street.
“We are not trying to spoil people’s enjoyment – it’s just that particular place.”
Mrs Hance said she visited 70 houses and received 47 signatures from residents who said they were unaware of the plans.
She continued: “It’s amazing how many people didn’t know about the application – I would never have seen the notices if I hadn’t been told about them.
“People along here did not know about it – when I told them about it, they said ‘where do you mean?’
“If we started the petition earlier, we could maybe have got more.”
A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “We are committed to ensuring that applicants fully comply with the legal requirements for notifying the public of licensing applications.
“For the Live Tour Promotions Ltd alcohol licence application, notices were prominently displayed at key points, including the entrance to Leisure World and other locations around the site. An advertisement was also placed in the press, all within the specified legal timeframe.
“The process followed aligns with statutory guidelines, which are designed to ensure the public receives clear and timely notice of such applications.”
A decision on the application for an alcohol licence will be considered by the licencing sub-committee on November 25.
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