THE Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel in Whipps Cross Road has received complaints from some local residents about noise from the hotel's functions.

The Guardian received a copy of a petition signed principally by residents of Fladgate Road, adjacent to the hotel. The document complains of "an erosion of our amenities especially through increased noise disturbance. Examples are the holding of open-air parties with amplified loud music and the erection of a volley-ball court in the car park."

The new owners of the hotel, Michelle Laverty and fiance Jason Flack, completely refute the claims that they have disturbed the peace and quiet of the area.

Ms Laverty said: "We've only had three functions in the last year and at each one the music stopped at 11pm and people went inside, completely within the law. And as for the volley-ball, we only play maybe once a month."

On receipt of the petition Mr Flack personally visited each of the addresses to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Ms Laverty and Mr Flack took over the running of the hotel last year and are continuing with plans to extend the premises to house a museum dedicated to Leytonstone-born film director Sir Alfred Hitchcock.

The proposals for the museum have met with enthusiasm from regular patrons and the Mayor of London's office.

Ms Laverty and Mr Flack are disappointed with the complaints after a successful year running a popular local venue.

Ms Laverty said: "These premises were going to be a hostel for asylum seekers before we bought it so we could always sell it back to them if some people don't want us to make this place work.

"Our plans won't interfere with the peace of the area at all. It will bring money and people here. I think he (the petition's organiser) is being very unreasonable about the noise. We've never had any problems with louts. We have a regular, adult crowd."

July 10, 2002 14:00