Chequers' bid for extra hours hit by 'hate mail'

by John Harrington

The pub where football legend George Best famously fell off the waggon has been dogged by a 'hate mail campaign against plans to extend its hours.

A petition has been drawn up by residents opposed to the bid for later opening, and to play live and recorded music, at the Chequers in Walton on the Hill, Surrey.

But manager Mark Noble-Campbell said an anonymous letter has also been circulated to residents alleging that the pub's owner Young's wants to turn the Chequers into a nightclub.

'There's a lot of scaremongering going around, said Noble-Campbell. 'I offered my services to the local residents' association but no-one has come to discuss it with me. They just went behind my back, which I'm not very happy about.

Young's has applied for the Chequers to open from 8am until midnight Monday to Thursday, and 8am until 1am Friday to Sunday.

Noble-Campbell said they have 'absolutely no intention of opening until these times, but will use the extra hours for one-off events such as New Year's Eve and occasional sport matches.

'What disturbs me is that people don't understand the implications of what they are saying, the manager added. 'If we do get the hours we ask for, we won't use them all the time.

Noble-Campbell has hit back by writing a letter to 200 local residents, explaining their plans for the pub and asking for feedback. There has been a 'very good response, he said, with a number of people saying that they have refused to sign the petition against the hours.

The pub hit the headlines two years ago when recovering alcoholic Best spent a week drinking wine at the pub.

Residents who are opposed to the later hours argue that the pub's notoriety has boosted the number of drinkers at the pub. They also say later hours would encourage 'circuit drinkers.