Town councillors have objected to a proposed nightclub in Newark, despite police withdrawing their opposition. Fears over potential noise and anti-social behaviour, and a lack of a nearby taxi rank, were among concerns raised by the town council planning committee in response to a licensing application for a venue on Cartergate.
Jola Jola could sell alcohol, play music and host live music and dance performances up to 2am if it receives a premises licence. It had wanted to open from 9am to 2am the next day, seven days a week, but Nottinghamshire Police objected. The force agreed to withdraw its objection if the venue applied for a licence to open until 1.30am from Sunday to Wednesday and until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, bank holidays and special occasions. Planning committee member Mr David Lloyd said there was no nearby taxi rank and people would end up on Castlegate. If they closed at 2am, they would probably kick people out at 2.30am and by the time they get to Castlegate you have got people arriving at the same time, he said.
Late night is a vital part of the economy but Cartergate suffers from late-night noise already. The police won t have an overview of problems in the whole county. It strikes me that we are potentially generating a hotspot and the police will have to be in two places at once.
‘This is not the answer’
Mr Mathew Skinner said: The police might come to the conclusion that they are happy with this but I am certainly not.
I recognise we need a night-time economy because it s amazing how many people get on the train and go to Lincoln or Nottingham. We must address the night-time economy because it s an important part of the town s industry, but this is not the answer. Mr Skinner was also concerned about the distance to the nearest taxi rank.
We have to be mindful of the people who go to these clubs and mindful of their own safety, he said. Members objected on the grounds of noise, anti-social behaviour, a lack of nearby taxi ranks and a lack of police. The planning committee chairman, Mr Tony Roberts, previously objected to the application under delegated powers. Jola Jola states in its application that security cameras would be installed and security staff would be on the doors on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The application is likely to go before a licensing panel at Newark and Sherwood District Council later this month.