Vince Cable

Residents are concerned over attempts by English Heritage to secure a round-the-year drinks licence for Marble Hill House and Park with 1.30am late licences. Vincent Cable MP has taken the matter up with English Heritage after receiving protests from a series of local residents including the amenity societies and Guardian columnist Simon Hoggart. He said: "English Heritage has a serious funding problem since the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has made it a target for cuts, while favouring its pet causes like the Olympics. English Heritage then tries to make money by cutting costs and squeezing more out of its assets like Marble Hill. I don't think the residents have any objection to a general licence for weddings and functions at Marble Hill House provided it finishes at reasonable hours. But the idea of drunks wandering around the Park and neighbouring streets in the early hours of the morning is not acceptable."