Pub’s late night bid approved

There was just one formal complaint made to a Kirklees Council licensing panel this week as councillors agreed to let The Thirsty Man open late on Friday nights.

The bid by landlady Lyn Smyth had provoked some opposition from residents concerned about late night trouble, but she said the pub had received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the bid. The pub will also open at 9am every day to serve breakfast.

Mrs Smyth, who runs the pub in Old Bank Road with husband Gerry, said: “We’re very pleased about it. We’ve had a lot of support but there’s always going to be some negative feedback.

“People had their chance to object and only one couple did. If people were that bothered they should have done the same thing.”

Last week Mrs Smyth defended her plans, saying the pub was losing customers to The Wilsons Arms which already opens later on Fridays.

Two brawls last year saw police officers called out to the pub, but Mrs Smyth said the Thirsty had no more problems with fighting than any other premises.

She added: “It’s now up to the customers to prove us right.”

The application was approved on Monday, subject to conditions. The agent for the Marstons-owned promised that CCTV will cover licensable areas and door supervisors will be employed.

The new opening hours apply from tonight, when there will be a reggae and soul night. A live band will perform next Friday.