New pub for seafront?

Sharon Thompson • Published 5 Nov 2009 11:06 5 Comments

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OBJECTIONS have been lodged against proposals to turn a former seafront store into a pub.

An application has been submitted to Argyll and Bute council which, if approved, would see the disused 'Haddows' off-licence turn into a public house, but so far five objections have been made to the authority.

It is believed that the refurbishment and reopening of the premises could create five jobs in the town, but there are worries about the success of the business venture - as other prominent pubs in the town are lying vacant after months on the market.

Both the Teak and Mariners have been lying empty since closing last year, although it is believed that the Teak will reopening soon under new management.

Pubgoer Angela McLachlan is sceptical about the plans for the former off-licence.

The 21-year-old said: "I do think a new pub would be good, in the sense it would get people out in the town, but how long will it last?

"All the other pubs seem to be closing, what would make this one any different?"

The plans for the changes to the West Clyde Street premises were made public last week, and it is believed that an historic piece of the building, which neighbours Dino's cafe on the seafront, could be demolished.

On the existing plan a set of steps is detailed, which the Advertiser has been told leads up to a mezzanine level that was part of a boathouse, long before the seafront shops were built.

However, on the proposed plans, the staircase is not detailed, and when the Advertiser quizzed planning officials, they said although no site visit had taken place yet, they could only presume this would be demolished as it doesn't appear on the new drawings.

They also said it isn't a listed building, therefore changes could be made inside the building.

Russell Sweeney, who lives on the same street as the proposed pub, wrote to the council's planning department to air his objections.

His letter stated: "In the previous application relating to this property it was originally asked for change of use from shop to licensed restaurant; this I have no problem with, but a public house, yes.

"I am concerned about possible noise coming from a public house and affecting my sleep. I am particularly concerned about music noise which can come from such a premises especially when the doors open to let out customer and smokers in/out of the premises.

"I also do hope that there is no plans for a 'beer garden' at the back of the premises, please note that the sound insulation between floors in this property is poor.

"I am also of the opinion that there are more than enough licensed premises in Helensburgh.

"At the moment, nobody can be found to take over the Mariners bar on the seafront, plus the Teak appears to have trouble finding a leaseholder.

"Why can't the applicant use one of these places to run a pub?"

Meanwhile Craig Straton from the street also made his views known to the council.

"I strongly feel that this will have a detrimental effect on properties within the area due to noise pollution, smokers outside and also due to my profession I believe that the last thing Helensburgh requires is another public house when there are currently bars and clubs closed.

"Within this block there is already one public house, two restaurants, one take away and on weekends they attract people who congregate on the pavement outside these premises and noise levels are extremely high."

A reader told the Advertiser on Monday that he thought the opening of the hotspot was a good idea, "as long as underagers didn't get into the bar."

If approved, the pub would be licenced between the hours of 11am and midnight on Sunday through to Thursday, and until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

IS THIS A GOOD IDEA? DOES THE BURGH NEED ANOTHER PUB? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE STORE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS USING THE FORM BELOW.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Georgina Burnhill
Unregistered User
Nov 5, 14:01
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I think the old haddows is a terrible place to put a pub!! Why does anyone want to buy a place that will need a lot of work to get it up to standards when there is Mariners sitting there that only needs tidying up and redesigned! I have spoken to many people my age in town an we have had many ideas for the place but of course no-one has enough money! I feel that if if a pub is opened at the old haddows it wont last long.

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Emma
Unregistered User
Nov 6, 14:19
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I think its stupid to put a pub where Haddows was when Mariners with its prime location & is lying vacant. Why cant someone take on Mariners? It was VERY popular and the only pub in town with a proper dancefloor & smokers section. Haddows would be better off being a 'decent' clothes shop as in a brand name like Peacocks, Quiz or even a higher brand like Next or H&M.

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jean
Unregistered User
Nov 7, 23:13
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Helensburgh definately does not need another pub, decent shops,yes but pub NO.

There are enough pubs on the seafront and with no smoking allowed on their premises you would think the pubs were outdoors with the number of people that stand outside them creating noise and litter along clyde street...

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rusty100
Unregistered User
Nov 13, 15:15
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I think it will be very good for the town, I have heard it will have a dance floor, and be super modern, its about time we had a decent pub in the town.

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Trevor
Unregistered User
Nov 20, 11:03
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I don't think helensburgh needs another pub there are too many pubs here right now.

There is a small number of people with a drink problem and another pub would just add to the problem.

The Mariners would be a good pub if it was updated to a pub/restaurant for people visiting Helensburgh and surrounding areas with the restaurant closing around 9 or 10 pm.

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