Residents near The Moon Under The Water, a Wetherspoons pub on Bath Road in Cheltenham, have expressed strong concerns about plans to extend the venue’s opening hours into the early hours of the morning.
The pub initially applied to extend its sale of alcohol from midnight until 1am Sunday to Thursday, and from 1am until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, following objections from local residents citing issues such as noise, aggressive behaviour, and street fouling, the application was revised to seek an extension only on Wednesday nights, which are known locally as “student nights”.
Cheltenham Borough Council heard from several objectors who described the current licence as creating “a dreadful blight on local residents,” with patrons often leaving the premises intoxicated and causing disturbances. Reports included frequent instances of vomit and public urination in nearby Sandford Park, as well as the use of laser beams directed into homes and antisocial activities in surrounding streets and car parks.
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One local resident, Anthony Wingfield, representing his wife, detailed issues with “vomit in the grass” outside the pub and expressed concern that longer opening hours would exacerbate existing problems. Additionally, there were worries about graffiti and “cultural vandalism” affecting the adjacent Italian Gardens, a valued public space.
A representative for Wetherspoons acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasised that the application had been scaled back in response. They highlighted that the pub is a well-established venue with a stable management team and that Wednesday nights are particularly busy, especially during freshers' week. The additional hour was described as a measure to facilitate a more gradual dispersal of customers, potentially reducing street disturbances.
The pub also confirmed ongoing efforts to maintain cleanliness, including regular litter picks, which they pledged to increase. There was also discussion of deploying teams to improve conditions in the Italian Gardens.
After considering the evidence and representations, the licensing subcommittee granted the extension for Wednesday nights only. Councillors welcomed the proactive dialogue between the pub and the community, as well as commitments to work alongside the town’s business improvement district to mitigate concerns.
The decision reflects a balance between supporting local businesses and addressing residents' concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour in the area around this popular Cheltenham pub.