Hereford Rugby Club Under Fire Following Application To Extend Late Night Licence To 2am

[Hereford Voice]

Plans to host late-night events at Hereford Rugby Club have sparked criticism from local residents, with some claiming that the current noise levels are already distressing—one neighbour reportedly being reduced to tears.

The club has submitted an application to extend its licence to serve food and alcohol and play music until 2:00am on weekends. In response, 36 valid objections have been lodged.

Currently, the club’s licence allows such activities until 11:00pm on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, a limit that has been in place for the past four years.

The proposal is set to be reviewed by a council committee on Friday.

Among those opposing the changes is Sally Budd, a resident whose home overlooks the club.

"The noise can already be relentless from late morning onwards," she said.

"You can't escape it inside the house – you can't even hear the television. It's brought one of my neighbours to tears."

In response, the club said the extended licence would primarily be used during the summer months, outside of rugby season, and that events would not be held every weekend. They anticipate hosting "probably around eight to ten events a year."

“We’re not looking to upset our neighbours,” a club spokesperson said.

The club noted that it has increasingly hosted free charity events, but the recent failure of the Hereford Round Table’s Rock The Wye event to gain temporary permission underscored the need for a more flexible premises licence.

Former Hereford Mayor, Cllr Kevin Tillett for Hinton & Hunderton has said he will object to the recent application.