CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn an American-style diner into a late-night venue have been met with anger by surrounding residents and councillors.
Detroit’s, which is located on the corner of Castle Street, currently closes at 9.30pm but bosses at the restaurant want to extend its opening hours until 12.30am.
Their application, which has been submitted to Worcester City Council, also includes a bid to get permission to sell alcohol until midnight as well as allowing customers to drink outside.
However, the move has been prompted opposition from residents on Easy Row and Severn Terrace who have made various complaints since the restaurant took over Jaguar House in 2010.
Geoff Lloyd Harrison, of Easy Row, said he felt Detroit’s was turning the area into a ‘circus’ and he believed it would have a ‘tremendous’ impact on residents’ lives if it extended its opening hours.
“This is a residential area, so it should not close at 12.30am,” he said. “The change of licence would attract a completely different clientèle to a high quality family restaurant which apart from the smells resident had got used to.
“The idea of having people pouring out at one or two in the morning is just a nightmare for the residents.”
The area’s councillors have also joined residents in their efforts to get the application rejected.
Coun Jabba Riaz said a late-night venue with live entertainment would be out of character.
“It is in a conservation area on a beautiful suburb of Worcester which has got a lot of history,” he said. “It is always difficult in these situations to not come across as having ‘Not In My Back Yard Syndrome’, but this is a genuine problem for residents.
“All the bars are in the middle of town where everyone can have fun, so this is not a suitable venue for this.”
The Observer contacted Detroit’s, but owner Steve Castledine refused to comment.
The application is now set to go before the city council’s licensing sub-committee at the Guildhall where a decision will be made.
