Pub closes after bid for extra hours fails

Jan 24 2009 by The Journal

PEOPLE living near a "problem" pub owned by a former Newcastle Falcons star are celebrating after it closed.

The Falcon’s Rest in Alnwick, Northumberland, shut after landlord and ex-rugby player Paul Van-Zandvliet quit his post.

The Clayport Street pub’s owners Trust Inns asked local licensing authority Alnwick District Council to transfer the licence back to itself, pending the appointment of a replacement landlord.

Mr Van-Zandvliet stepped down after failing in his bid to secure a 3am, seven day a week licence for the premises.

His proposal was thrown out by a council licensing sub-committee following objections from police, who described the premises as “problematic,” the council’s environmental health department and a number of people living nearby.

All feared an increase in anti-social behaviour and noise if the application was approved.

Mr Van-Zandvliet last night said his bid had been made to bring the Falcon’s Rest into line with other premises in Alnwick which have been granted late licences.

He said: “I have had battles with the council since I have been in here, I just thought it was time to call it a day.”

A council spokesperson last night said the authority is trying to contact Trust Inns to find out what is to happen to the licence.