Heritage tearoom bids to stay open until 10pm on 12 nights

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

A heritage tearoom in Astley is seeking permission to open until 10pm on 12 evenings a year, facing neighbour opposition.

Merly's Kitchen operates from part of the ground floor of Damhouse, a Grade II-listed building at Astley Hall Drive in Astley. The building, now home to 14 businesses including a nursery, has significant historical importance: it originally served as a manor house before being used as a hospital. Morts Astley Heritage Trust, the charity that operates the Damhouse, currently holds a licence for Merly's to operate from 8am to 8pm.

The trust has applied to Wigan council's planning committee to extend these hours to 10pm for up to 12 evenings per year. The application has provoked opposition from neighbours, with 19 objections submitted. The council has summarised the concerns as potential impacts on residents including noise and disturbance, late-night activity, anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder, increased vehicle movements, deliveries and servicing, litter, smoking areas and effects on residential amenity.

The Damhouse was established as a heritage trust in 1994 after local residents secured the building when the hospital board sold it to housing developers. The trust operates two function rooms for small-scale events and hosts regular community fundraising activities. A significant portion of the building retains features from the 1600s. The trust promotes the site's historical value through guided tours and maintains the surrounding grounds and woodland.

How it is being reported

• A heritage tearoom wants to open until 10pm for 12 nights a year but the neighbours aren't happyMerly’s Kitchen, which operates within a Grade II-listed building in Astley has faced opposition to its plansManchester Evening News · 22 Oct, 06:23
• A Wigan heritage tearoom faces neighbour opposition to 10pm opening on 12 days a yearA heritage trust is facing opposition from locals as it bids to open its Astley tearoom later into the evening now and againWigan Today · 22 Oct, 04:55

In this story: Merly's Kitchen · Morts Astley Heritage Trust · Damhouse · Astley · Wigan

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