Turriff pub TSB granted permission to have opening hours extended
A Turriff bar has been given the go-ahead to operate for an extra two hours every night despite claims its neighbour “lives in fear” of noisy revellers.
The owners of Teenie and Stams Bar, better known as TSB, recently asked for permission to extend its opening hours.
Located inside the town’s former TSB bank building on Main Street, it opened its doors in 2023 after the bank closed for the final time in 2021.
The family-run business is run by directors Mark Milne and Christine Hosie.
They wanted to extend the bar’s opening hours from 11am to 1am every day, while adding off sales from 11am to 10pm.
Bosses also asked to add a pergola inside its beer garden to give punters shelter from the rain and sun.
James Allan, who lives just metres away from the bar, objected saying the business had “no respect or regard” for his “health, wellbeing or peace”.
He believed the longer hours would lead to “additional time for crime and disorder”.
Writing to Aberdeenshire Council, Mr Allan said: “I am unsafe in my own home from bar revellers.
“Noise is unbearable from bar, fire door is wedged open allowing noise and nuisance.”
The furious neighbour claimed that beer garden punters nip out to relieve themselves at his front gate.
And he also said that glass bottles are emptied into a bin outside at 11.30pm which causes him disruption.
Mr Allan added: “My mental, psychological and physical health has been hugely impacted.
“My six young grandchildren’s health is affected when they can not safely reach my property due to people under the influence of drink and drunks.
“I live in fear for my safety and my families’.”
The application recently went before the Aberdeenshire Licensing Board.
Addressing the objection, Ms Hosie said: “We’ve been open nearly two years now, it’s a really good going business and it’s great for the whole of Turriff.
“Our CCTV system is bang up to date… I can’t see there being a problem to the change and running the business.”
Board members were told that Police Scotland had not objected to the request and did not mention any incidents occurring at the pub.
Councillor Richard Menard asked why the business wanted to extend its hours.
Ms Hosie explained the business is planning to have rooms available for short stay accommodation upstairs within the next couple of months.
“If I’ve got people staying, it’s not fair to say 11pm finish to them because they could be on holiday.”
The bar owner also said the later opening was needed to keep guests from straying away from TSB as other pubs in the town are licenced until 1am.
After a brief private discussion, councillor Jeff Goodhall backed the application, saying he could not see any reason for the board to refuse it.
While councillor Marion Ewenson suggested Mr Allan get in touch with environmental health or the police depending on the type of complaint he wants to make and have investigated.
Board members agreed they found no grounds to reject the request and unanimously agreed to grant the extension.
