A West London cricket club will now serve alcohol to non-members until midnight, despite local concerns about noise and safety.
West London: A cricket club in Ealing is shaking things up. They’ve decided to serve alcohol to non-members until midnight, Monday to Saturday. This is a big change for a place that’s been members-only for 150 years.
The Ealing Cricket and Social Club, located on Corfton Road, has become quite popular. They’re looking to expand their activities, which is why they applied for this new license. Before this, they could only serve drinks until 11 PM on weekdays and 10:30 PM on Sundays.
However, not everyone is thrilled about this change. The club received 20 objections, including from local councillors who are worried about potential crime and noise. Councillor Jonathan Oxley expressed concerns about the club’s late-night atmosphere, especially since it’s in a residential area.
He pointed out that the club’s environment is different from typical social clubs, with mostly men hanging out after matches. This raised alarms about disturbances for those who have work or school the next day.
Residents like Marina Kalkanis have also noticed issues, mentioning instances of aggressive behavior outside the club. She fears that lifting restrictions could lead to more problems in the neighborhood.
On the flip side, Greg Fitzpatrick, the club’s Vice President, reassured everyone that they don’t expect to be serving drinks until midnight every night. He emphasized that there have been no issues with local police and that they respect the community.
It’s a bit of a mixed bag, isn’t it? The club wants to grow, but the locals are understandably concerned about the impact on their quiet lives.
