A South London pub that wants to stay open until 3am is facing backlash from neighbours who fear being disturbed by rowdy punters late at night. A solicitor for Whelans in Kingston said the pub's landlord had invested too much time, money and effort in turning the pub around after taking over from previous operators to "blow it" as the venue fights to change its hours on Fridays and Saturdays in order to survive.

Solicitor Andrew Cochrane said landlord Austin Whelan had taken the pub on Richmond Road "back from the brink" and turned it into the "real heart of its community" after taking over – renaming the venue Whelans and reopening it in 2018. Mr Cochrane told Kingston Council's licensing committee on Tuesday, February 7, up to £400,000 was spent on revamping the pub after Mr Whelan took over.

He said: "It's been a tough time for the trade. We've had Covid, we've now got the energy costs, we've got the costs of everything frankly going up and Mr Whelan does need to make the assets work that he has for him and he does perceive that there is a demand for extra hours for these premises."

He added: "Mr Whelan's invested far too much money, too much time and too much effort getting to this point now for him to blow it and there is no evidence based on what I've seen so far that he would." 

The pub has applied to sell booze until 2.45am and close at 3am on the mornings following Fridays and Saturdays. It currently sells booze until 1.30am and closes 15 minutes later on most days.

But neighbours wrote to the council hitting out at the plans. One objector said: "The residents are often disturbed by antisocial behaviour in Canbury Park Road coupled with sirens from emergency services dealing with drunken behaviour and fights and feel this will only increase with extending licence hours. We can see no reason for such a small pub to be open until 3am for even two nights."

Another said: "I think the extended hours will lead to an increase in public nuisance including noise as people depart Whelans and an increase in drunkenness and anti-social behaviour arising from the opportunity to drink for longer. Noise levels and drunken behaviour affects sleep in this residential area and increases concern for property and safety."

Mr Cochrane said the pub had stayed open until the later hours requested on 12 Saturdays since October under temporary event notices, with no complaints.

About the objections, he said: "There are concerns about the premises staying open later and anticipation of what might become a problem but I don't see anybody in there who's turning around and pointing the finger and saying that Whelans is already causing them a problem and that, in my view, is significant and a tribute to the work which Mr Whelan has done."

He said there are robust conditions on the licence, including plans for noise management and door staff. Kingston Council will make a decision on the application in the coming weeks.