A PRIEST and his congregation have won the latest round in their fight to stop a neighbouring nightspot from getting a late licence.
Canon Denis Clinch, of St Mary's Catholic church in Mulberry Street, Manchester, has already had victories over the Ithaca bar and restaurant on John Dalton Street during a long-running campaign.
A renewed application to open until 4am was refused by the city's licensing panel last September and the church - better known as the 'Hidden Gem' - had been gearing up for a lengthy appeal in front of magistrates this week.
Surgery
However, the owners of Ithaca, which opened in May last year, threw in the towel at the 11th hour.
Canon Clinch, recovering from major heart surgery, said: "I am very pleased but it would have been nice if they had withdrawn earlier so that we had time to let everyone concerned know that there was no need to go to court.
"We had planned to be there in force to show our feelings.
"You would think that at this point they would get the message, that to put what would in effect be a nightclub adjoining the church is highly inappropriate. We have never objected to a restaurant, but giving them an extended drinks, food and entertainment licence was never on."
Nuisance
Canon Clinch first led a campaign to prevent the luxury venue getting a late licence more than two years ago, before it had even opened for business.
More than 8,000 people signed a petition objecting to the plan and it was thrown out by the city's licensing panel who were told it would create unacceptable noise and nuisance problems for the nearby church.
Ithaca was allowed a licence until 1am with doors shutting half an hour later. But soon after opening it made a new application for a licence until 4am.
A petition was signed by 5,000 parishioners and visitors to the Hidden Gem, including tourists from all over the world.
Councillors again rejected the extension after hearing objections from the church, police and environmental health officers.
No one at Ithaca was available for comment over the latest development.
Hidden Gem battles to raise funds for facelift
Thousands sign Hidden Gem petition
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 9 and replies | View All
gor, mcr (13/02/2009 at 09:59)
Grey Flag, manchester (13/02/2009 at 10:00)
cant do this, cant wear that, your not on THE list etc. etc.
Mother Macs for me....
Voter (13/02/2009 at 10:10)
drew-peacock, romiley (13/02/2009 at 12:21)
Remember, "God is a DJ..This is my church, this is where I heal my hurt"
Maybe Maxi Jazz could offer to do a sermon for the church, it may actually attract some people, unlike now, it'll be full of people looking for something that's missing in their lives that probably does not exist, I despair for christians, I really do.
Matthew Wright (13/02/2009 at 13:57)
What a sham
Hand of Pierepoint, Hale (13/02/2009 at 14:16)
MikeSlad1956, Oxfordshire (13/02/2009 at 15:35)
Halfbakedno1, Manchester (13/02/2009 at 15:58)
-Soothsayer+ (13/02/2009 at 22:08)
This is indeed a victory, if not, then we would have more of these business' to cater for the needy in the form of taxation. If we get rid of charitable organizations and replaced it with capatalist taxation, we would have to employ a few more battalions of public sector workers to "nurture" and "help" the needy.
It's evident that not many paid people who are meant to look after the needy do their job properly; especially in a materialistic, judgmental and selfish society. It just won't work, as per previous stories in the press.
Those who volunteer to help the needy, free of charge, are better placed to get results.
It makes me sad when people post saying they feel sorry for Christians. I feel sorry for them. What type of people hate the ones who want to help? People that go out to get drunk beyond their means clearly have nothing in their lives. Whats the point in working just to smoke and drink, only to start on Monday and do it all again ... probably because they've got something missing in their lives.
Maybe we should listen to drunken bearded folk telling fairy tales.