A CONTROVERSIAL pub has had its licensing hours changed after attracting a raft of complaints.

Hyndburn Council reviewed the opening hours of The Walmesley Arms in Great Harwood with the landlord warned the pub could be closed down permanently.

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Councillors ruled the pub's opening hours should be reduced in an attempt to put an end to complaints about noise and anti social behaviour.

The pub will now close its doors at 2.30am instead of 4.30am, will have to employ doormen and turn off music at midnight.

Licensing committee member, Cllr Stuart Eaves, said: “There’s been numerous complaints and problems with the pub over the past few months.

“There’s been issues with anti-social behaviour including fights. Basically it has just been a nuisance.

“Hopefully the changes will give people in the area a better and more quiet life.”

The committee also decided that live and recorded music cannot be played later than midnight from Sunday to Thursday and than 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Previously recorded music was allowed to be played until 4am.

Alcohol will now only be served until 2am as opposed to 4am and the beer garden is only open until 11pm.

Other conditions included customers are not allowed to leave the premises with alcoholic drinks.

Two registered door supervisors must also be on duty from 8pm until the close of duty on Fridays and Saturdays, and they must carry out regular checks.

Cllr Paul Thompson, who was also on the committee, said: “The decision has been made because of the noise level really, having music until 4am is a bit much.

“The main complainant said that they have lived there for 20 years but doesn’t stay there on weekends anymore because the noise is that bad.”

Just last year the council approved the extension of opening hours at the pub from 2.30am to 4.30am.

The landlord of The Walmesley Arms was not available for comment.

Sgt Jason Middleton, in charge of licensing, said: “The main police concern is that there appears to be no control of management of patrons at the front of the premises, particularly at the weekend after midnight, which is resulting in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, on-street drinking and also noise issues, all of which undermine the licensing objectives.”