The former problem pub that was the scene of antisocial behaviour, fights, drug-taking and drinkers urinating in the street for more than a decade wants to extend its opening hours.
Cornwall Council’s licensing act sub-committee agreed in October 2022 that the Three Ferrets pub in Chapel Street, St Ives, had failed to prevent crime, disorder and public nuisance, as required under its licensing objectives. As a result it imposed strong conditions which included reducing opening hours, requiring security staff to work on the doors and not allowing additional customers in after 10pm.
A subsequent application to extend opening hours was refused in July 2024, with councillors deciding that allowing it would lead to a negative impact. However, the sub-committee agreed to drop the condition to not allow customers in after 10pm.
The pub's landlady, Maria Francis, has now applied again to extend closing time from 11.30pm to 12.30am. She has also asked for a previously imposed condition that 'all doors and windows are to remain closed during all hours of business' to be changed to allow doors and windows to be open between 10am and 6pm. Ms Francis maintains the change would mean "that the premises can provide a more open, welcoming and pleasant environment for customers".
Although no representation has been received by Cornwall Council's licensing department from Devon and Cornwall Police, six residents have written opposing the licence changes, fearful it would bring a return to the antisocial behaviour which plagued their lives for a decade.
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Rebecca Lewis wrote: "The conditions imposed following the 2022 review were not imposed without reason. They followed detailed consideration of the problems associated with the premises and have, over time, helped establish a more tolerable relationship between the pub, residents and the surrounding area.
"There are still occasions when residents experience problems, including noise and people gathering outside the premises. In those circumstances, I do not believe that the appropriate approach is to relax the controls which have helped reduce the problems.
"If the premises wishes to operate for longer hours and provide a comfortable internal environment for its customers, I believe it should do so by finding solutions within the premises rather than by removing measures which protect those outside it."
Julian Dowdeswell told the council: "During all of this time, the local residents have simply wanted the Three Ferrets to
St Ives Pub With Troubled History Seeks Extended Opening Hours