Bingo players could be the latest victims of the licensing laws fiasco as families living near a bingo hall oppose plans for longer opening hours because they fear of rowdy behaviour could be a problem.
People living near the Mecca Bingo Hall, on Aylsham Road, have complained about “unruly” and “bad” behaviour from players as they leave the club and accused them of being “abusive” to residents.
They are also charged with beeping their car horns in celebration as they leave after a night of bingo.
The complainants, who all live on Aylsham Road, have written to Norwich City Council to oppose proposals by the club to extend the time it can sell alcohol by just one hour from 11pm until midnight.
One of the people living nearby, Geoffrey Bunn, cited “noise and unruly behaviour late at night” for opposing the changes.
Another, Janet Long, wrote: “We are going to be bothered with noise when people leave. They don't care about residents sleeping. If you approach them you get abuse. It's bad enough at a reasonable time, let alone after midnight.”
Vivienne Lee added: “There is a great deal of noise when customers leave - horns and shouting. This is acceptable at 10pm but would not be at 12.30am.”
Bingo-mad Eileen Cottrell, 82, from Sotherton Road, Norwich, said: “We've always found bingo entertaining - we prefer it to going to the pub and drinking.
“I think people are pretty quiet and well behaved when they leave. People just come out talking about how much they have won in the evening, it's not rowdy as far as I know.”
The matter is due to be decided at a meeting of the council's licensing sub committee today .
The Evening News can also reveal that several city supermarkets are applying to be able to sell alcohol around the clock, in a move which Alcohol Concern has criticised.
# Tesco are seeking permission for 24 sales at its stores in Blue Boar Lane and Ipswich Road, although not at its other city branches.
# Asda in Hellesdon is looking to be able to sell alcohol around the clock.
# Sainsbury's wants permission for almost all of its stores in England to be able to sell alcohol for 24 hours, including its three branches in the Norwich, Costessey and Thorpe St Andrew.
# Waitrose, Morrisons and Somerfield are not looking to sell alcohol for 24 hours.
A spokesman for Alcohol Concern added: “We are concerned that increased retail hours might result in a rise in drinking and problem drinking.”
Meanwhile, local authorities across the country say they cannot afford the cost of implementing the complex new licensing laws and council tax bills are expected to rise as a consequence.
Because of the sheer volume of work - 190,000 license applications have been made - councils have been forced to hire emergency staff and hear several cases a day.
Bingo players could be the latest victims of the licensing laws fiasco as families living near a bingo hall oppose plans for longer opening hours because they fear of rowdy behaviour could be a problem.