Wimbledon residents fight proposal to extend bar hours (From This Is Local London)

Wimbledon residents fight proposal to extend bar hours

6:10am Saturday 6th March 2010

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Residents blighted by drunks urinating on their door steps and vandalising their cars are taking a stand against a late-licensing bid from a night spot yards from their homes.

Edwards, in Hartfield Road, was banned from serving alcohol beyond midnight as part of a deal allowing the venue to be built, due to its proximity to Wimbledon’s residential areas.

But since opening, it has twice attempted to have the restriction lifted and it is now feared planning officers will accept an appeal, despite the planning committee unanimously refusing it in August.

Andy Odgers, chairman of Graham, Hartfield and Herbert Roads Residents' Association, said the impact of letting drinkers out into the streets at 1.30am would be “disastrous”.

He said: “They aren’t just urinating outside our homes, they’re running on cars and sometimes when two people get together the unspeakable happens.

"People are living less than 50 yards from the bar and there’s just no way it can be allowed to open later.”

Edwards’ owners, Mitchells and Butlers, declined to comment.

A decision on the appeal is expected later this month.

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