Sports centre gets booze licence amid noise worry

Residents living nearby said noise from football matches would get worse if the venue sold alcohol

A bar has been granted a licence to serve alcohol during football matches after residents previously warned it could make noise and swearing worse.

Durham County Council approved the bid for United Lounge at the Riverside Sports Complex, in Chester-le-Street, but attached several conditions.

Riverside Residents' Association said locals regularly experienced foul and abusive language, noise and nuisance caused by visitors to matches at the leisure complex.

Lewis Pendleton, the applicant, said he would install CCTV cameras and train staff to mitigate any risk.

Alan Brown, chair of the Riverside Residents' Association, said: "We fear that the granting of a full licence would add to the problems of public disorder and nuisance."

Concerns were also raised over visitors drinking alcohol on an outdoor balcony area of the venue, which faces on to nearby homes.

But the Reform UK-led council said the venue must adhere to several conditions in order to keep its licence, which include only serving alcohol during organised football matches.

'Plastic glasses'

Mr Pendleton, who did not attend the hearing, previously played down the suggestion that alcohol sales would lead to disorderly conduct, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillor Tim Robson, licensing chairman, said: "We accept that the balcony will form part of the licensable area, however, the retail sale of alcohol will only take place inside the building.

"Any drinks to be consumed on the balcony will be decanted into plastic glasses.

"Staff will actively monitor access to the balcony area to prevent unauthorised entry and control capacity."

The committee also ruled that United Lounge would not be used as an open bar outside of organised matches.