Plans for a late-night venue have been opposed over fears it could increase noise and anti-social behaviour experienced by nearby residents. Jola Jola, at 39 Cartergate, Newark, could sell alcohol, play music and host live music and dance performances until 2am if it receives a premises licence.
Jola Jola has requested seven days a week opening from 9am to 2.30am the following day. It has applied for permission to play music, host live music and dance and show films, described as video entertainment on TV screens, and have amusement machines. Security cameras would be installed and security staff would be on the doors on Friday and Saturday evenings. At other times the management at Jola Jola would carry out a risk assessment on whether door staff were needed. The application will be decided by a panel from Newark and Sherwood District Council s licensing committee at a hearing on September 23. As part of the process, Newark Town Council is consulted. In a decision taken under delegated powers, ahead of the licensing hearing, the town council s planning committee chairman, Mr Tony Roberts, objected to the application. Reasons behind the objection were outlined in a report to the town planning committee.
The report said Cartergate suffered a significant level of anti-social behaviour, including frequent vandalism to flower planters, and that noise nuisance would be exacerbated for local residents. It also said there was no easy or nearby access to taxis. Explaining his reasoning to a meeting of the planning committee last week, Mr Roberts said: That end of Cartergate seems to be at the forefront of petty vandalism and unfortunate behaviour.
It s disturbing people and it s also the fact that it s adjacent to Framework Housing.
‘This sends out the wrong message to potential investors to Newark’
Committee member Mr David Lloyd said the building was previously used by Gusto as a function venue. He said that did not set a precedent, however, because it had an events licence and not a premises licence. Mr Michael Kheng, director of Kurnia Licensing Consultants Ltd, spoke to the Advertiser on behalf of the applicant. He said: The Act and guidance suggests that there should be partnership working and we would have thought that a councillor would try and work in partnership with the applicant. We are currently working with Nottinghamshire Police to resolve their concerns. For Councillor Roberts to lodge an objection without talking to the applicant or ourselves to appraise himself of what is being proposed in our mind is wrong.
As a representative of the council this sends out the wrong message to any potential investors to Newark and could put potential investors off from looking at setting up a business in Newark. This, in turn, could lead to existing venues not investing as competition is not encouraged. We have requested a copy of the objection and once we have read through it we shall be able to make comment fully on the points raised. In response, Mr Roberts told the Advertiser his objection was lodged after consulting colleagues and he stood by his decision.
