Play centre in alcohol licence bid (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Play centre in alcohol licence bid

9:43am Friday 20th July 2012 in Romsey

A CHILDREN’S play centre has applied for a licence to allow it to sell alcohol.

The application by Frankie’s Fun Factory in Romsey has been made to Test Valley Borough and will be considered by councillors next week.

It has attracted objections from residents concerned about an increase in anti-social behaviour and noise.

The venue on the Romsey Industrial Estate on Greatbridge Road is a family play and party leisure facility, which has a cafe and includes giant slides, ball pits, a zip wire, rope bridge and tunnels.

If granted the premises licence would allow the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises from 6pm to 10.45pm seven days a week, along with entertainment with recorded music and facilities for dancing from 6pm to 11pm every day.

Asked to clarify how the licence would work Paul Judd, on behalf Frankie’s Fun Factory, said the licence was to allow the centre to have a function bar for private hire – invitation only family parties held after the centre is closed to the general public. He said it was not intended for adult only parties, nor is it intended to operate during the day for the general public or the venue’s daytime customers.

The application states there would be no general public admitted while alcohol was being served. It states that all guests and visitors to the centre using the licensed facilities will be attending a private function by ticket only. It states that all children under 16 must be accompanied into the centre and no adult entertainment or irresponsible drink promotions will take place or be permitted at any time.

There have been six objections from residents who argue that the changes could possibly lead to crime and disorder in the area and anti-social behaviour. Some claimed that the building was not designed for noise and did not have good acoustic absorption meaning loud music could already be heard from there and this application would extend that later into the night. Another questioned why a children’s facility was selling alcohol in the first place.

Hampshire Police has no objections to the scheme as the applicant has agreed to their amended conditions.

The Licensing Sub-Committee will discuss the application on Thursday. It can either grant the application, grant it but modify the conditions or refuse it either totally or in part.

A representative for Frankie’s Fun Factory did not want to comment further prior to the hearing.