Newark: Premises' licence submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council for sale of alcohol until 4am on weekends at Corn Exchange
A premises’ licence has been submitted for the sale of alcohol until 4am on weekends for the Corn Exchange in Newark.
But the company behind plans to re-open the venue say the proposal focuses on food and entertainment for the family, rather than being a nightclub.
“We are most encouraged by the significant support shown on social media, both for bringing this property back into use, but also offering something of quality for the people of Newark, so that they don’t need to travel out of the town for their hospitality and socialising desires,” said director of Corn Exchange Newark Ltd Matt Clark.
“Despite offering robust conditions to mitigate any negative impact, we have disappointingly received some objections.
“It is clear that people want something akin to this in the town, but without the licence being granted, as applied for, there is risk of the project being stalled and the building continuing to sit unused.
“It will not be the venue of years gone by, which I understand was weekend only. The capacity, even when all areas are open, will be around half of that previously permitted.”
The company is asking to serve alcohol Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 2am; Thursdays and Sundays, 8am to 3am; and Friday and Saturdays, 8am to 4am.
Proposed opening hours are Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 2.30am; Thursday and Sunday, 8am to 3.30am; and Friday and Saturdays, 8am to 4.30am.
Mr Clark said his company had significant experience in controlling anti-social behaviour and had offered robust management plans to mitigate any disturbance.
“We hope that the wider community as a whole see the positives strongly outweigh any negatives. We are confident that an ongoing dialogue with residents and authorities will ensure this venue is one for all to be proud of and indeed attend as a customer,” he said.
One resident commented on the application, which will be determined by Newark and Sherwood District Council: “I am horrified by the latest licensing application for the old Corn Exchange in terms of noise pollution, and the anti-social behaviour, which will occur if it goes through.
“In the past, when it was open as a nightclub/disco, there was always a lot of noise from the premises and from people gathering outside, often the worse for drink.
“It says it is for outside and indoor use, so if they are going to start using the garden between the building and the river, they’ll be even worse.
“The application allows the noise to go on during the night, from 2am on some days to 4.30am on other days, and as this time covers the sale of alcohol, there is likely to be a lot of very inebriated people. "Judging by what has happened in the past when the Corn Exchange (and The Atrium) were open, the behaviour deteriorates the longer and later places open.
“There are insufficient police to prevent it, and to respond promptly when called. It can be very scary, and nobody should be woken by someone urinating in their garden or up against their door or wall.
“The thought of this being possible every day of the week fills me and other residents nearby with horror and fear, and is surely unfair. At the very least, the hours should be reduced with a closing time of midnight, and the number of days it can open should be reduced.”