THE new owners of a former Italian restaurant are planning to reopen it as a 'family-friendly pub'.

Switzer Holdings bought The Pack at Elton Road in Belthorn earlier this year.

They say they intend to run the venue as a family-friendly pub with an emphasis on quality food made from locally sourced produce and quality cask ales served in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.

Councillors will decide whether to grant a late-night alcohol licence to the new bosses of the restaurant which closed suddenly in January.

They have applied for a premises licence to run from 10am to 2am every day, sparking objections from residents citing potential public nuisance including anti-social behaviour, littering and noise.

Members of Hyndburn Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet to discuss the application on Tuesday, October 15.

One objector said: “This is a rural community, not a town centre, and there is absolutely no need for a pub in a small village to be serving alcohol until 2am every day.

“If The Pack is allowed to serve until 2am, it is more than reasonable to assume that there will be drunken people hanging around and waiting for taxis - making lots of noise when they leave.”

Another added: “The Pack traditionally has been a local well-supported restaurant and I wish that to continue.

“However, the opening hours detailed in the application conflict with being a family-friendly pub. The potential for excessive noise, litter, anti-social behaviour and late night/early morning traffic will increase to a level not experienced before, should the licence be granted.”

A final objector said: “This is not acceptable given the residential area in which The Pack is situated. I would argue that residents have a right to quiet enjoyment of their properties, especially on nights preceding normal working days.

“I am aware that the previous owners of The Pack also had a licence for late night opening.

“However, this was exercised very rarely and on the few occasions The Pack opened until 2am, residents suffered serious noise disruption and anti-social behaviour and glasses and bottles were thrown over the wall into Kendal Row.

“My reading of the application suggests that the new owners, if not constrained by the council, will exercise late opening much more regularly.”

A Switzer Holdings spokesman said: “All staff who are involved in the sale of alcohol will be trained in relation to the licensing objectives so as to reduce crime and disorder, promote public safety, prevent public nuisance and promote the protection of children from harm.

“Refresher training will be provided at least once every six months and all training will be documented and made available to an authorised office upon request. The management of the premises will ensure that the area immediately outside the entrance is kept clean, tidy and free from litter.

“Signs will be placed in a prominent position at the main public exit requesting customers to leave the premises and the area quickly and quietly.”

In a report to the committee, council licensing manager Wendy Peck, said: “Currently there is no nominated designated premises supervisor on the application and that matter is to be confirmed.

“Members should note that this does not prevent an application being granted.

“During the 28-day mandatory consultation period, nine valid representations were received.

“The issues raised by the representations relate to the prevention of public nuisance.”

The Pack went up for sale with Keenans Estate Agents in February for offers in the region of £419,950.

It closed after seven years in January with former owner Karl Elsworth saying the decision was made with huge regret.