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2024-09-26 09:55:57 +0200
To: All residents in the vicinty of the Jock De Villiers building, 376-382 Main Road, Paarl
Objections to obtaining a liquor licence by ‘The Athena Lounge’ (Jock de Villiers building, Paarl)
* [Campaign Update]: On Monday 23 September our formal objection was delivered to the relevant authorities. So, this ongoing petition still needs your valuable support!
We plead with the Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA) to NOT approve the liquor licence application by applicant Café Ambrosia (Pty) Ltd for The Athena Lounge situated on erf 31888, section 1, 376 to 382 Main Road, Jock De Villiers Building, Paarl, 7646.
We plead with the Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA) to NOT approve the liquor licence application by applicant Café Ambrosia (Pty) Ltd for The Athena Lounge situated on erf 31888, section 1, 376 to 382 Main Road, Jock De Villiers Building, Paarl, 7646.
Why is this important?
- At first The Athena Lounge did position their new establishment as ‘your ultimate to go sports bar’ on their website, but since 27 September they suddenly changed it to establish 'your local sports restaurant'... Weird? No matter what they will establish, their application for a liquor licence clearly states "The Athene Lounge aims to become the go-to sport pub for passionate rugby and sports fans who want an elevated experience that celebrates both the game and the strength of its supporters, especially women. The business will trade as a sports pub which will also sell food".
- The bar will be established in a residential area according to the municipal zoning map.
- In total there will be 3 of the same facilities(bars) in a 300 m stretch on Main Street: Sportsman Tavern, The Athena Lounge, Crown bar. This is more than what we residents can handle.
- There will be disturbing noise levels especially because the whole front structure of The Athena Lounge is a shop window (glass) and may not be altered into a soundproof structure. The Jock De Villiers building is heritage protected.
- Currently they are testing their sound system causing disturbing noise nuisance.
- There will be parking nuisance because there is inadequate parking available on the premises.
- There are 2 churches within short range of the establishment.
- A greater part of the residents is already experiencing nuisance by guests visiting the Sportsman Tavern: drunken behavior, screaming, loud music, revving cars and motorbikes.
- The community has been traumatized by the Sportsman Tavern's years of nuisance. A resident has now filed a lawsuit against the city.
- Residents’ complaints to Law Enforcement and the police to come by to deal with the current nuisance of the Sportsmen Tavern are not followed up due to their understaffing. This is confirmed by police officers attending the Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting on a regular basis. Adding the nuisance The Athena Lounge will cause (100 m. from the Sportmen Tavern), will just make the situation worse. CPF contact: Cpt. Louise Du Plessis 082 850 9614.
- Residents will feel more unsafe: there is no acting on behalf of Law Enforcement and the police. People are afraid to encounter drunken guests as they behave aggressively.
How it will be delivered
This petition is part of our formal objection to the Western Cape Liquor Authority (WCLA), the Drakenstein Municipality and SAPS Paarl following the objection procedure.
On Monday 23 September our formal objection was delivered to the relevant authorities.
So, this ongoing petition still needs your valuable support! Thank you.