Neighbours fear 'classy' new venue could lead to antisocial behaviour

RESIDENTS near a new entertainment venue say they fear it will add to antisocial behaviour in the area - but the business man behind the venture promises it will be a 'classy, well-run operation.

- LEE TREWHELA

Merlin Cinemas applied to Cornwall Council for a premises licence for the Ritz in Penzance, an Art Deco-style building in Queen Street which opened as a 1,000-seater cinema in 1935.

The regional cinema and entertainment company, which already operates the town’s Savoy cinema, has refurbished the building as a multi-purpose venue for drama, cabaret, stand-up comedy, dance club nights and performances by touring and local bands.

However, a licensing committee meeting on June 11 heard a proposal for late-night opening was of serious concern to many neighbours.

Merlin had applied to open The Ritz until 2am from Thursday to Saturday and lam the rest of the week, with the sale of alcohol stopping an hour before closing time.

Nine residents made written representations opposing the licence with one, Gill Fickling, telling the meeting she thought it was great that Merlin Cinemas’ managing director Geoff Greaves was renovating the “wonderful old building” and that she was all for increasing entertainment and employment in Penzance.

“Having said that, I probably live closer to The Ritz than most other people, with a new extension a metre from my house’ she said.

“My concerns are about noise, personally, but I'm speaking for other neighbours in St Mary's Close and neighbours who live behind the Ritz, not down Queen Street.

“Whether people go up or down Queen Street is not an issue for us; the noise will come from the building itself, from the preparation of gigs with equipment being loaded in and, more importantly, with equipment being loaded out at night. If noise is going on until possibly 12am or lam - even 11pm - I think that will cause quite a lot of disturbance.”