ANOTHER bid is being made to make a fresh start for prominent town centre pub in Hyndburn ­— prompting renewed neighbour protests.

Owners of the Walmsley Arms have provoked objections after making a bid to reduce the opening hours at the Great Harwood hostelry ­— but this time without costly door staff.

But people living nearby are adamant that the proposed changes for the Queen Street venue will only see a repeat of past noise nuisance problems.

And Hyndburn Council’s licensing department has also lodged a formal objection, given the close proximity of residential properties to their beer garden.

In an e-mail to the borough council Faye Lynch, who runs the nearby Elite Dry Cleaners, said: “This confirms my belief that they do not care about causing nuisance to local residents with regards to noise disruption and control of customers whilst on the premises and exiting.

"I am in no way against the pub reopening at all, I just have reservations about the door staff being removed.”

Another resident, Allan Barnes, said: “I’ve lived on Queen Street for 30 years and prior to door staff being employed I have witnessed numerous disturbances outside the Walmsley Arms before 1.30am.”

Borough licensing officer Paul Thwaites has suggested a 9pm curfew should be imposed on the beer garden and curbs placed on live music and DJs at the pub if councillors were considering allowing the changes.

The pub would close at 1.30am - currently there is a 3am licence for Fridays and Saturdays with 2am closing on Thursdays and Sundays.

A Star Pubs official said: “The premises have been empty and boarded up for some time. Unfortunately potential lesees have been put off taking on the site due to the significant cost of door staff.

“Consultation has taken place with the police who have advised that they would be agreeable to the reduction in hours and the removal of the requirement of door staff, commenting that the proposal sounds like a fair compromise that will be beneficial for all, reducing the potential for some of the incidents that have been seen in the past and making it more financially viable for a prospective tenant.

“It is considered that removing the later hours will significantly change the way the site will operate and will have a positive impact on the licensing objectives.”