Council explains why it approved new Scarborough nightclub Decades, despite police objections

The authority granted a premises licence to Frazer Jones and Martin Weaver for Decades Bar at 9 Aberdeen Walk last week despite objections from North Yorkshire Police.

The council has now released its full decision and reasons which reveals the councillors will try to mitigate some of the police’s concerns.

One issue that was raised during the hearing by force’s licensing officer Sgt Jackie Booth was around the two floors of the venue.

The applicants said they only intended to use the larger second floor for conferences and events but Sgt Booth said that if the licence was granted as applied for it would allow for 970 people to be in the venue until 4am seven days a week.

In response, the councillors have said that the second floor can only be used until 1am, with the first floor open until 4am Monday to Thurdsday and 4.30am the rest of the week. Alcohol sales stop 30 minutes before closing.

The licensing sub-committee’s decision states: “This effectively reduces the capacity of the building to 270 after 1am.

“This decision has been taken so that there are not crime and disorder and public nuisance issues.

“The fact that the premises is in the cumulative impact area has also been considered in drawing up conditions.

“It would not be appropriate for a new premises to have a capacity of 970 and to maintain the hours proposed by the applicant as that will mean substantially more people leaving the premises later.

“The responsible attitude of the applicant, coupled with the stringent conditions that have been imposed by the sub-committee will mean that the premises will not add to the problems already generated by the premises in the cumulative impact zone.”

North Yorkshire Police said it would not be commenting on the decision of the council.

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