OVER-55s at a retirement complex have been slapped with a booze ban following anti-social behaviour from elderly residents.
Gobsmacked tenants looking to enjoy a summer drink have been told they cannot consume alcohol in their communal gardens following reports of fighting at the quaint housing complex.
Staffordshire Housing Association have already removed residents’ garden furniture after two neighbours were caught brawling at Bishop Court, in Stoke on Trent, Staffs,
Angry tenants have accused the housing association of taking away their civil rights – as the new rule comes 12 months after they were ordered “not to socialise” outside their homes after 10pm.
They say the new rules makes them fell like ‘being in a prison’ and like naughty ‘kids being punished’.
Former driving instructor Colin Stuart, 57, who has lived in one of the flats, for three years, said: “We’re not even allowed to sit outside our own front door with an alcoholic drink.
“Two residents had a drunken fall out and ended up hitting each other and since then the housing association has said no-one is allowed to drink outside their own flat at any time of the day.
“The two people who were fighting made up the next day and now we’re all being punished for it.
“They’ve shaken hands and now they talk to each other like they’re best mates.
“We can’t socialise outside past 10pm even if we’re not drinking.
“We feel like kids being punished, it’s supposed to be a happy family retirement place.
“I was gobsmacked by the latest rule, because it takes our civil rights away.
“Very often we go outside, but we can’t do that.”
Staffordshire Housing Association (SHA) has already removed chairs from the table in the communal garden.
It has also asked resident Tom Knapper to remove his own personal table and chairs.
Tom, 58, said: “They’re taking my liberties away. I like a drink when the sun comes out and they’re stopping me from sitting out. It’s out of order and like being in a prison.”
Neighbour John Caine, 58, said: “We pay for the garden furniture as part of the GBP65 per week rent.
“I won’t sit inside, I’ll go outside and see what happens.”
And teetotaller Albert Arnold said residents drinking did not bother him.
The 72-year-old, who has lived there for six years, said: “I don’t drink and it doesn’t bother me if others do.
“We’re old and retired and we’re entitled to a bit of pleasure. I think the whole thing is pathetic.”
SHA has launched an investigation following the latest incident.
It says it has received complaints about “nuisance behaviour” involving a minority of residents drinking in the communal areas.
SHA director of housing services Tim Sheail said: “Anti-social behaviour is something we take very seriously.
“Since we sent out our neighbourhood agreement for residents to sign we have received responses from several residents expressing their thanks for our prompt action.
“While we are investigating this incident we have sent a letter to residents reminding them that they had agreed not to gather outside after 10pm, and informing them that no alcohol can be consumed in the communal areas.
“This is a ‘cooling off’ period while we conduct an investigation into the complaints we have received and the alleged incidents.
“Once the investigation is over we will review the situation again and aim to come up with a solution which is acceptable to the majority of residents at Bishop Court.
“We want to promote an environment where all residents feel safe and can live without anxiety about the inconsiderate behaviour of their neighbours.”
