A clash is looming over a plan for extended hours at a bar and kitchen in Caversham, with fears being raised of 'alcohol abuse' and noise disturbance past midnight.

The Alto Lounge in Church Street, Caversham is due to undergo an expansion into the Thames Hospice charity shop which permanently closed in July.

In addition to the greater space, the Loungers company has also applied to keep on serving food and drinks until 12.30am, and selling alcohol until midnight.

The application received objections from Malcolm Pemble, a committee member of the Caversham and District Residents Association (CADRA).

While he noted that the extended hours would receive 'considerable support' locally, there were fears neighbours would be disturbed by the later hours.

Mr Pemble wrote: "It should be recognised that residential properties, including Rectory Road with very short back gardens, as well as Hemdean Road and the flats in Church Street, are very close to the Alto Lounge.

"Residents there already experience some disturbance from the facility. This is
relevant to Licensing Objectives to prevent public nuisance and to prevent children from harm as children risk disturbed nights."

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While welcoming the expansion, Mr Pemble submitted an objection to the application, unless action could be taken to reduce disturbance caused by staff talking outside at night, and noise from kitchen, refrigeration and air-conditioning units."

He also argued that deliveries that may take place at 5am would also cause a disturbance.

Concluding, Mr Pemble wrote: "The combination of disturbance after midnight and in the very early morning is an unreasonable burden, particularly for those with young children or health problems."

Also objecting, resident Den Currie wrote: "Reading is fast becoming a town choc-full of tacky fast-food joints and cheap bars which encourages more alcohol consumption, anti-social behaviour and draws the wrong sort of people to residential areas.

"This is in addition to an alcohol licence right across the road on the site of the old card shop.

"This will make Caversham a hotspot for alcohol abuse, anti-social behaviour, increase in littering and a general race to the bottom.

"Why the need for 14 hours a day to drink alcohol is needed, I'm unsure of but I am opposed to it."

The objection referred to the Spill Bar, which is gearing up to open in St Martin's Precinct before Christmas. 

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Voicing support, Roger McDonnell wrote: "Caversham is now starting to become more like it could and should be – a vibrant centre for local residents to enjoy for shopping, dining and drinking.

"Enjoying a meal or a drink until 12am is not an unusual concept around the world.

"The vast majority of patrons to the bars are local residents, who appreciate being able to walk into Caversham for an evening.

They are not rowdy or noisy or anti-social – they are just grownups enjoying a night out."

He argued that refusing the application would be a 'wasted opportunity'. 

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The comments other than Mr Pemble's were invalidated due to them not being focused on licensing matters, but are still included in a report for Reading Borough Council's licensing applications sub-committee to consider.

A decision is due to be made by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday, November 26.