A South London rugby club wants to extend its hours to midnight, but local residents are worried about noise and disruption in their quiet area
South London: A rugby club is stirring up some drama in the neighborhood. Old Emmanuel Rugby Football Club wants to keep its clubhouse open until midnight. But not everyone is on board with this idea.
Residents are raising their voices, worried that the extra hour will mean more noise and chaos. They say they’ve only had one noise complaint in the past, but locals are still skeptical.
The club has been around since 1909 and serves the community well, offering rugby for all ages. But the thought of late-night revelry has some folks feeling uneasy. They’re concerned about the peace of their quiet streets.
Some neighbors have complained about the noise from people heading home after a night out. Shouting, singing, and the sound of car doors slamming are just a few of the disturbances they’ve mentioned.
Residents on Taunton Road and Somerset Avenue have voiced their concerns to the local council. One resident, Judy Ng, said the area is turning into a late-night drinking spot, which doesn’t sit well with her.
Others, like Richard and Pascale Evans, worry that an extra hour of drinking will only add to the noise. They’ve noticed that Uber drivers often park nearby, creating a ruckus as people wait for rides.
Vinay Reddy, another local, pointed out that the club had previously agreed to close by midnight to keep the peace. He’s disappointed that the club hasn’t kept its promises to communicate with residents.
But the club’s chairman, Justin Latta, is pushing back. He says they’ve only had one noise complaint, which was quickly resolved. He believes extending the hours won’t really affect the neighbors.
Latta is open to working with residents to address their concerns. The local council will hear from both sides soon, and we’ll find out what they decide by the end of the week.
