By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 16:10, Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Neighbours of Upperby Men’s Institute in Carlisle are worried that a proposed outdoor drinking area will make their lives a misery.

Upperby club secretary Les Armstrong

The club in Lamb Street set up four tables in its car park as a temporary fix when the smoking ban came in, in 2007.

But it had to stop outdoor drinking on the orders of Carlisle City Council after complaints about noise, foul language and even nudity.

Now the club is applying to allow drinking in the smoking area by the main doors.

It has submitted a petition, signed by 86 people, in support of the idea.

But 15 nearby residents have lodged objections.

The application is due to be heard by a council licensing sub-committee on Tuesday.

The objectors include John Purdham whose home in Woodside North backs onto the club’s car park.

His letter outlines what happened the last time outdoor drinking took place.

It says: “We suffered for several months with significant nuisance noise from young children running around, intoxicated people playing football, foul and abusive language not to mention people urinating in the car park.

“I understand that the punters of the club have got to have somewhere to go to have a cigarette but I don’t think there is a need for them to sit drinking out there.”

Kenneth Robinson, of Lamb Street, says he has to sleep in a back bedroom because of noise from customers leaving the club in the early hours.

Susan Beardwood, another neighbour, wrote: “To allow drinking within the smoking area will increase the noise level, which is only now bordering on bearable. Foul language and drunken behaviour is already a problem.”

Bridgin Grant says she has called the police because of fights spilling onto the street.

And Valerie Hind, also of Lamb Street, wrote: “We already have a problem with under-age drinking. People drinking outside would cause the problem to worsen.”

Despite these concerns, environmental health officers report there have been no complaints to them about noise in the past year.

The club says drinking outside will not be allowed after 10.30pm, children will be banned and the area will be monitored by CCTV.

Club secretary Les Armstrong is confident there would be no problems.

He told the News & Star: “We’ve had the smoking shelter up there for 14 or 15 months and haven’t had any noise issues there.

“Anybody infringing any of our rules will be subject to disciplinary procedures.”

First published at 13:24, Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk