A WEDDING venue has cut back on its opening hours following the sudden death of its much-loved manager.

Ridgmont House in Chorley Old Road has been granted a licence to stay open until 1am every day but the cut off for serving alcohol will be 12.30pm.

The company applied for a new licence after Darren Hickey, who was the designated premises supervisor, died in a tragic accident in April, when a hot fishcake burned his throat and he stopped breathing.

Representatives from the Horwich venue said that they no longer needed the same hours on the new licence because they did not stay open that late.

But residents objected to the application for a new licence despite the scaled back hours, complaining about noise from cars leaving late into the night.

David Darlington, who represented Ridgmont House at a town hall hearing on Tuesday, told the licensing sub-committee that the previous licence allowed the venue to operate an hour and a half later.

He said: “It is not an extension, it is actually a reduction.

"This is a venue that is used for functions such as weddings, christenings and birthday parties. It is not a club.

“So, this is not the sort of venue that will be creating lots of noise throughout the night. There will be people wanting to enjoy the events but not in the way that you might see in Bolton town centre.”

Caroline Willey, who was speaking on behalf of residents at the meeting, asked for the hours to be reduced more, proposing 11pm on weekdays and midnight on Fridays, Sundays and bank holidays.

The Higher Barn resident pointed out that the residential properties are located just a fifth of a mile away from the venue.

She said: “There are at least 80 children that live in close proximity to the access. Clearly, issues about noise and traffic are a concern.”

But Mr Darlington said the applicants had been “pragmatic” by reducing the hours. Martin Brownlow, the new designated premises supervisor, explained that the reason that they applied for a later licence in 2005 was to be covered for New Years’ Eve – but he said that most people leave the venue by 12.30am anyway.

Cllr Cliff Morris, who chaired the licensing sub-committee meeting, told the objectors that the licence had been granted.

He said: “If you feel that at any stage there is excessive noise you can come back for a review.”