Shirley Cricket club gets renewed alcohol licence but residents win one battle
A Shirley cricket club has been granted a renewed licence to sell alcohol but residents have secured a victory on bar opening times after flooding Solihull Council with objections. Licensing bosses at the authority have granted the licence to Moseley Cricket Club but under strict times and conditions.
Nearly 30 residents objected to the Streetsbrook Road-based venue's application and some appeared at the latest meeting of the authority’s Licensing Act Panel’s to stress their concerns. Among issues raised were:
Noise disturbance from music and people leaving the venue
Anti-social behaviour
Potential for an increase in crime and disorder
Criminal damage
Littering
Driveways blocked
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Neighbours' biggest concern was the club had applied for permission to open 11am to 2am Friday and Saturdays, selling alcohol in this period and playing music. The club's previous licence, held since 2005, allowed alcohol sales and music up to 11pm on Fridays and Saturday nights.
Objector Philippa Emmett-Jones wrote she had concerns over: “People attending for events and leaving intoxicated, swearing and arguing loudly when children in neighbouring homes can hear and become distressed.” Linda Mockler wrote: “We have lived in our family home for over 30 years - we felt it would be an ideal environment to bring up our family.
“Over the years we have always tried to be sympathetic and understanding towards the club. Since Covid our happy home has become more like a prison.
“We cannot use the garden at weekends peacefully, our evenings are interrupted by the excessively loud music and then into the early hours with ensuing traffic, taxis and very loud patrons leaving. I’m horrified at the thought hours may be extended.”
But applicant Neil Cowley said the changes applied for was to "expand the current range of licensing activities to ensure the club is financially viable for future years". During the meeting residents stressed again the 2am time would “exacerbate the situation and dramatically impact their sleep patterns”.
But Mr Cowley explained late night opening would only be used for “special evenings” such as Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. He also offered to ensure patrons left within an hour of closing and specific events would be publicised so neighbours were aware.
The panel noted there were no records of noise submitted by the council’s noise team or any incidents submitted by the police, with no objections to the application from them. Members of the committee agreed to grant the licence but chose to restrict alcohol sales between 11am to 11.30pm Monday to Saturday, noon to 11pm Sundays and 11am to 1am on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Strict conditions include music played outside must only be at background level; CCTV must be in operation covering the bar and outside of the building and patrons will be encouraged to wait in the lobby area for a taxi when leaving. The committee added: “Consideration will be given to employing door staff when holding any function such as birthday celebrations where the person celebrating is under 30; any screening of a boxing event; any screening of any England football match or local derby between Birmingham or Aston Villa.
“(Door) staff employed by the venue will have at least one working bodycam.” The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Tuesday, (September 24).
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