A licensing application which could see the former Shades nightclub in Falmouth re-opened, but in a different format, has been met with fear and anger by neighbouring residents.

In March, Cornwall Council revoked the premises licence for Club Chic in Quay Street after complaints from the police, environmental health officers and neighbours who had had to endure decades of noise and nuisance.

Residents had thought that marked the end of the road for the business so were distraught when they learned of the new application, which is being made by Angela and Michael Hill, who own the building, to be renamed The Old Gaol.

The new application is seeking permission to open daily between 10am and 12.30am and to provide films, live music, recorded music, late night refreshment and alcohol until midnight.

Graham Eva, of GE Licensing Solutions, who is acting on behalf of the Hills, is adamant the building will not be used as a nightclub. “The premises has operated as a licensed premises for decades, but it is acknowledged these premises are not suitable to be a nightclub anymore,” he said.

“That is why there will not be any late hours, effectively there is going to be what you could call pub hours. It’s certainly not going to be a nightclub.”

Residents, though, do not want to see any form of entertainment business operating from the premises. Elena Needham, who lives opposite with her husband, Darrell, and 12-year-old daughter, said: “We do not want a repeat of the story. It should be something different and not entertaining customers at night with alcohol.

“Since it has been closed it has been a wonderful, nice life, living in peace. There have been no shouts, screams and smoke. They can run a business during the day, but by 11pm it should be closed. The building doesn’t suit this purpose of entertaining, it’s the wrong place. I just want someone who will care about the people who live next door.”

Mr Needham added: “It has been 40 years of hell for me. I commend them (Cornwall Council) for making the right decision and I hope and expect them to do likewise with any more applications.”

Rodney Nichols, who lives next door, said: “The building is not suitable for any form of entertainment. There is only a nine inch wall between me and the club and stuck against that wall are three toilets and to the front of the house, the dancefloor.

“Every time a toilet is flushed we hear it flush away and hear it filling up and then there’s always the noise of people under the influence of alcohol and the beat from the dancefloor. It has been a continual battle over the years.

“We do not object to a business being run there, providing it does not impinge on our lives. Any form of alcohol and entertainment is going to be a nightmare. I am expecting the council to stand by its previous decision. Our well-being should be the prime consideration.”

Mr Eva said the police and environmental protection officers have been consulted over the new application and have made some suggestions and that Mr and Mrs Hill, who, contrary to rumour, do not live in Spain, are keen to take control of the premises.

“It was problematic before. There is now going to be great control as they (Mr and Mrs Hill) will be the licence holders and will be responsible for the premises. They are not absentee people, they are people able to exert some proper control.

“It is difficult to make final plans until, as, when and if, Cornwall Council grant a licence. Everything is dependent on that outcome, but it will most definitely not be a nightclub. It might not be a pub in the English sense of the word, but more a cafe-type, tapas-type bar. They are the initial thoughts.

“We would hope to be able to operate in such a way we do not upset our neighbours and can still run a profitable business there.”

The deadline for comments on the application is June 7 and any should be made to Cornwall Council’s licensing department.

Pic caption: Quay Street residents, Darrell Needham and Rodney Nichols outside the former nightclub.