Football club plans new fan zone outside stadium

The Southern League Premier South club submitted the application to Dorset Council

A football club plans to open a community fan zone in front of its stadium – but needs council permission to do so.

Dorchester Town, currently in the Southern League Premier South, wants to create the fan zone in front of the entrance to The Avenue stadium in Dorchester, Dorset.

It said the area would be "a safe and engaging space for supporters and visitors to enjoy pre and post-match activities, further enhancing the community experience at our club."

It said it is committed to "fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment".

The club has asked Dorset Council to extend the area covered by its current premises licence, which allows it to sell alcohol, into the area of its front car park.

Its application, which the club hopes is resolved from April, does not seek to extend the times it is able to sell alcohol, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Public comments on the proposal will remain open until 7 March.

If there are objections on licensing grounds, the decision is likely to be passed to a panel of councillors to decide.

If there are no objections which meet council criteria, the extension will be granted.