Great Harwood club owners win battle to stay open until 4.30am

Bosses at The Mint Tree, in Glebe Street, had asked Hyndburn Council for the late opening, which would bring it in line with the likes of Baggys and Snuffys in the town.

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Club managers David Sinclair Jnr and David Sinclair Snr, who trade as Loco Bars Ltd, had also sought permission to cut the number of “bouncers” covering the former Sopranos premises from three to one.

Mr Sinclar Snr, the designated premises supervisor, and Mr Sinclair Jnr, the premises manager, had managed to head off a noise complaint from Chantelle Furness, who lives above the club.

Environmental health officer Paul Thwaites still objected to the operating hours being extended, due to “numerous complaints of noise nuisance from the playing of excessively loud music”, which had led to abatement notices being served on the management.

Carl Jervis, of Baggys Wine Bar, also in Glebe Street, was more concerned about the venue’s proposals to reduce the number of door staff from three to one.

“I am not satisfied that one person alone is enough to patrol a premises of that size and layout,” said Mr Jervis.

He also told councillors he had coped with “constant fights” when the club was known as Sopranos and Chanabellas, and feared that reduced door staff would see a return to those days.

He was supported in his claims by John Yeoman, of nearby Queen Street, who stressed that it was only last September when the authority had reviewed the Mint Tree’s licence, amid concerns about behaviour.

Mr Yeoman submitted video evidence of a previous promotion at the club which he claimed demonstrated that free alcoholic shots and drinks deals were being encouraged.

The borough council’s licensing sub-committee did allow The Mint Tree to open until 4.30am, after a hearing, but ruled that two door supervisors must still be in place, instead of one.

Previously, the club opened until midnight from Sundays to Thursdays and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.