RESIDENTS have raised concerns about a Fishguard pub’s plans to extend its opening hours.

Gerald Parry of Shamrock, Market Square, has submitted an application to extend the premises’ licence on Fridays and Saturdays to allow alcohol and food to be sold, and recorded music to be played until 2am, with a 2.30am closing time.

He stated: “The premises has been licensed since May 16 2013 and is now in a position where longer hours are felt necessary.”

County Councillor Pat Davies said she had received ‘numerous enquiries’ about the proposal from people throughout the local community.

In a letter to Pembrokeshire County Council's Licensing sub-committee, she said: “Local residents find it unacceptable that this licence should be extended to the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.

“The access to the rear of the premises of the Shamrock Bar is from a residential area. Those residents already experience some levels of noise nuisance, particularly in the summer months.”

Cllr Davies added that a Lottery funded project in Fishguard and Goodwick has just commenced through Alcohol Concern.

She said: “Fishguard and Goodwick does not have a huge problem with the abuse of alcohol, particularly amongst young people. It is however on the increase and has become a problem that should be addressed.”

Other local residents raised concerns about noise, potential crime and disorder in the surrounding area, and the proximity of the Irish themed pub to the young people’s organisation Point.

A couple who run a nearby business stated: “Rather than keeping the youths in Fishguard, this would attract mischief seekers into Fishguard and destroy any work of polite living in society made by many organisations in Fishguard.”

A local hotel owner said: “The pub closing times are always noisy – and you may say a ‘street party’ in High Street starts then. To have this ‘street party’ extended by one hour is unbearable for my clients who need a good night’s sleep.”

The application is due to be discussed by the licensing sub-committee in County Hall on Tuesday, April 29.