Outrage over plans for late night events at Cannizaro House Hotel on Wimbledon Common

An "outrageous" bid has been submitted by the owners of Cannizaro House to hold late night events with a bar in marquees at the front and back of the hotel, serve alcohol until 2am some nights and put on live music.

Cannizaro House Hotel from the back

It has attracted 35 complaints ahead of a council meeting tomorrow night, many of whom plan to attend the Merton Council Licensing sub-committee in a bid to block the move.

The hotel's general manager said he would be happy to meet with the community to discuss the proposals.

Merton Council’s environmental health officer Andrew Small, has also lodged an objection which said the proposed variation would create a public nuisance at the house which was built in the 18th century and has been stayed in by luminaries such as Lord Alfred Tennyson, William Pitt and Oscar Wilde.

If it goes ahead, the hotel, set in 34 acres, would be able to sell alcohol seven days a week from 10am to 2am, hold entertainment seven days a week from 10am to midnight and have late night refreshment from 11pm to midnight.

Some of the 34 acre grounds

The hotel is also asking for the lifting of current restrictions for Christmas, Good Friday and New Year’s Eve, and wants to erect a large outdoor screen to show Wimbledon tennis matches during the championships.

It proposes to make food and alcohol available for residents and guests of residents 24 hours a day.

Its current license only extends to 11pm most evenings.

West Side Common resident Struan Robertson said: "What has happened is this outrageous application has stirred a hornet’s nest and people are angry.

"Profit is all that is driving this chain.

"This is all at the expense of local residents - I can’t imagine anything worse."

part of the application, submitted by Hotel du Vin Trading Limited, it says the company prides itself on being considerate to the surrounding neighbourhood and members of the public.

It said: "At the request of patrons, free of charge, taxis will be called to the hotel.

"Noise levels will be kept at acceptable levels so as to cause minimum disturbance to the neighbourhood."

Phil Lewis, general manager Hotel du Vin, Wimbledon, said: "Hotel du Vin has requested an extension to their current licence to give guests a little more flexibility when hosting dinners and events here. 

"Hotel du Vin is a high quality hotel group with properties across the United Kingdom and which are regarded by their various local communities as an asset.

"As such they are happy to discuss the licensing extension request with members of the Wimbledon community at the hearing being held tomorrow and look forward to confirming a time that is considered appropriate by the majority of community stakeholders."

A decision will be made on Wednesday whether to grant the variation in the licence.