Pub wants to overturn rules which hamper business

A licensing committee will make a decision on the new application on 17 July

The owners of a Cornish pub, which was previously likened to the "wild west", want to overturn a number of strict conditions on their licence.

The new licensees of The Three Ferrets on Chapel Street in St Ives said the rules, which were imposed two years ago, were "hampering business".

Nearby residents previously said they experienced abusive language, fights and drinkers urinating in the street.

However, licensees Maria Francis and Ann Arrowsmith said they had turned the pub around.

'Utterly appalling'

The licensees would like permission to have live music in the pub until midnight and extend opening hours to a 00:30 BST finish, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The pub also wants to remove prior conditions including a ban on entry after 22:00 and the requirement to shut windows and doors after 18:00.

The council has received representation from 15 residents against the application, while ten people have sent supporting comments.

There has been no objection from relevant authorities such as the police, health and safety and public health.

One comment said the pub's conduct at the time of a review in October 2022 was "utterly appalling", adding it was meticulously evidenced by CCTV footage from residents.

Ms Francis has written to the council in support of her application.

She said the pub was now run in a positive and responsible way and has upheld all of the licensing restrictions.

At a licensing meeting in 2022, the pub’s previous landlord, John Bestwick, apologised to residents for putting up a sign in the pub which complained about people “whingeing” and submitting complaints about the Three Ferrets.

A Cornwall Council licensing committee is due to make a decision on the new application on 17 July.