Irish bar gets a green light

TOWN is getting a new Irish bar - despite protests by some nearby residents. Bernard Griffin, 78, and his 73-year-old wife, have lived in a flat above a shop at 48-50, Le Pollet for 36 years. They objected due to noise concerns and fears for their health.

Guernsey Nightclubs Ltd had applied for a licence for the Claddagh Irish Pub, to be sited at the former WKD bar which used to be ancillary to Club 54.

Advocate John Loveridge objected to it on behalf of Mr Griffin, who has recently been released from hospital following an operation. But his plea was thrown out.

The Ordinary Division of the Royal Court heard that a similar protest had been made when an application was made for a licence in 1999 for where Club 54 is now located. Since then, there had continued to be 'horrendous' noise from Le Pollet.

Mr Griffin had complained to the police.

Counsel said that the worst noise was on Fridays and Saturdays and the couple had to contend with people singing and shouting until 2.30am.

Mr Griffin claimed music at Club 54 was turned up, making it difficult to sleep. The couple have double glazing, but life in summer at night was made unpleasant because they had to keep their windows closed.

They were concerned that if a licence was granted, the noise would increase and affect them in their later years.

'They have complained to police and nothing has happened. This is not necessarily a criticism of the police. My clients realise they are overstretched on a Friday and Saturday night,' said Advocate Loveridge.

But Advocate Peter Ferbrache, representing the applicant, disputed some of the facts given in court.

He did not believe there was any justification in relation to noise complaints for the premises for which the application was made, which used to be Club 54's main entrance and which has now moved to Le Truchot.

The premises would include a small bar and it would close earlier than the nightclub.

'A great deal of money has been spent doing the pub up,' said Advocate Ferbrache.

He added that the couple behind it, Martin and Donna Rogan, were well respected and had held an open house to speak to neighbours about any concerns. Advocate Ferbrache suggested the new premises would actually ease the congestion in the area.

As to plans to play music in the pub, Mr Rogan said: 'It's very much a traditional Irish pub. There will be occasionally a guitarist or fiddle.'

He claimed the premises would reduce the noise element in the area by at least 50%.

The three jurats were unanimous in granting the licence application. No noise restrictions will be applied to the premises at this stage.

* Claddagh will be the first bar to open since the new smoking ban. Mr Rogan hoped it would start serving next week.

The changes to liquor licensing laws had delayed the project, he added.

'If you go to any city or town, there's always an Irish pub and I sourced a lot of original stuff from Ireland after I went over there on a buying trip,' he said.

Work on the pub meant that the refit and rebranding of Club 54 has been delayed, but Mr Rogan said the plans would still go ahead in the future.