Cinema gets go-ahead for its drinks licence (From Worcester News)

Cinema gets go-ahead for its drinks licence

10:00am Friday 14th November 2008 in News By Jack Blanchard

CINEMA-GOERS in Worcester will be served beer and wine while watching films after police withdrew all objections to the plan.

The Vue Cinema on Friar Street has been granted a licence by the city council to sell alcohol between its opening hours of 9am and 2.30am – but only during screenings for people aged 18 and over.

Yesterday we reported how south Worcestershire police had objected strongly to Vue’s application, submitting a lengthy letter of protest citing fears over anti-social behaviour, increased under-age drinking and even the danger of drunken “male predators” attacking “vulnerable young females” during film screenings.

But permission was granted yesterday after the council’s licensing sub-committee heard how police had performed a U-turn following a meeting with cinema bosses. Peter Hughes, the police licensing officer who wrote the original three-page letter of objection, suggested police had not fully understood what the cinema was proposing.

“When we were initially approached for our views, there was only a limited time to make our representations,” he said in a statement. “They were, therefore, submitted based on both our existing and historic understanding. We later, however, received more substantial details of what was proposed and also met senior company officials.

“During those discussions we were able to ascertain the company’s accurate intentions and – with only one condition being attached – all our concerns were satisfied. There was no longer any reason to object.”

The police’s only condition was that the cinema joined the city’s Night Safe scheme, the precursor to the old Pub Watch. The city council had its own stringent conditions to add, however, ruling that alcohol may only be made available inside screenings designated adult-only.

The cinema had originally requested permission to sell alcohol both in the foyer area and during the screening of any film.

Sub-committee chairman Paul Denham said he had “taken account of the police’s decision”, but added: “We are concerned about the possibility of children drinking on the premises. We would like to ask the applicant to restrict the sale of alcohol to viewing for over 18s only.”

Vue has said staff wearing night-vision goggles will be sent in to check on audiences every half an hour.

Previously the sub-committee heard objections from city resident Richard Redwood, who lives on nearby Edgar Street.

Mr Redwood said he feared noise nuisance and drunken behaviour would increase if the application was allowed. But Vue representative Wendy Miller said the number of people drinking alcohol and attending late screenings would be very low, and that there had been no problem at the 25 Vue cinemas around the country where alcohol is served.