Bid by Hartlepool football supporters' club to extend beer garden opening hours goes to extra time

Hartlepool United Supporters Club, in the town’s Sandringham Road, was initially defeated earlier this year in its attempt to permanently use its car-park as an outdoor seated area until 10pm.

Hartlepool borough councillors instead allowed the beer garden to open only until 7pm following objections from both residents and the council’s own officers.

The club, however, now wants permission to keep the beer garden open from 11am-8pm from Sundays-Thursdays and from 11am-9pm on Fridays-Saturdays.

It has appealed to Teesside Magistrates’ Court, in Middlesbrough, for the council’s decision to be partly altered.

The case was briefly heard last week and adjourned until Tuesday, August 17, at the same court.

Fears were raised earlier this year over noise levels after the club was allowed to use the car-park for table service on a temporary basis following the easing of lockdown measures on April 12.

Zoe Craig, from the authority’s environmental protection team, told a council meeting in April: ““There is nothing in place to protect the residents from the noise that would come with a beer garden being allowed to be situated here.”

A club member added at the same meeting: “I’m almost 100% certain you wouldn’t want it outside of your front door.”

Yet Tony Moore, from the club, stressed at the same meeting that only members and invited guests could drink at the premises, adding: “As a club we and the committee manage our premises to a high standard, and respect our neighbours, which is something we would continue to do.”

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