The Pilgrim reopened last month but new plans have upset those living nearby
The Pilgrim(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Plans to extend the late night offering at a historic Georgian Quarter pub has been met with concern by nearby residents just a month after its reopening. The Pilgrim on Pilgrim Street announced after a nine-month closure, it would be reborn under the ownership of the 1936 Pub Company in April.
Upon reopening the business last month, the company – which also operates venues including The Vines and The Monro – said they wanted to add to the existing offering of the building that dates back decades. Features have been retained to create a familiar scene for drinkers on their return.
However, changes proposed to the opening times have prompted a backlash from nearby residents as the plans face scrutiny from Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee. Applicant Robert Gutmann has sought the city’s permission to extend alcohol sales hours until 1am, with a terminal hour of 1.30am.
This would be a change from the existing licence which permits sales from 10am to 11pm daily. When the Pilgrim announced its return, the business said: “Our idea is only to creatively add, not to take anything away from the institution we all have come to know and love.
“So yeah, the booths, the brick, the mirrors, the beer garden, the cask ales and the tunes will all still be gloriously retained. Even those derelict vintage mini table juke boxes are staying but being augmented by a big new retro one that’ll sit in the corner by the iconic spiral staircase.”
The Pilgrim.(Pic Andrew Teebay).(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
However, the late night extension has prompted concern from those living nearby. In a written representation to the council, one objector wrote: “Since reopening the Pilgrim & Mayflower we’ve experienced excessive noise into unsocial hours.
“We have children in our property who have been disturbed by the recent noise and footfall in the area. To extend this from 11pm to 1am would be a serious detractor to residents in the area and cause repetitive complaints and call outs for noise and associated alcohol related issues.”
Another person who made their feelings known said extended licensing hours would lead to more activity in a “quiet side street”. They added: “It will also reduce my feeling of personal safety when dog walking or generally walking home at night
“I am already very upset at the increased influx of people using the Pilgrim and the very noticeable change of clientele. It’s radically changed the energy of the neighbourhood already. I cannot express my sense of anger and dismay any more strongly.”
A third representation said since the pub reopened, some residents on nearby Hope Place had been subject to a “huge” increase in outside noise and nuisance levels. They said: “Before the refurbishment, the new owners advertised that they wanted to create an atmosphere of old-fashioned pubs.
“This is nothing like that. In a residential neighbourhood like ours, extending licensing hours even further and allowing off premises purchase and consumption will only add to the increasing nuisance we already face from the expansion of similar initiatives in our Quarter over the last few years.” The representation did wish the venue well, but asked for co-operation.
They added: “We would genuinely love the Pilgrim to succeed, as a genuine, quiet, respectful, local pub, with indoor music and entertainment, as per the current license but please stop the drinking off premises and remind all customers to consider the neighbours in the area when they leave the premises.”
A spokesperson for the 1936 Pub Company said: “We are aware and are sympathetic to residents’ natural concerns about a new licensing application. We have had some preliminary discussions and are looking forward to finding solutions that will suit all parties at the hearing in June.”