By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A social club in Basford previously saved from permanent closure has now been granted a licence to open a new bar area.
The Basford Hall Miners’ Welfare Social Club, in Goldcrest Road, announced it was closing in January last year.
It had served the community, including those who had worked at the nearby Babbington Colliery, for more than 100 years.
However, a resulting campaign from members, and support from Nottingham North MP Alex Norris (Lab), helped save the venue from permanent closure through the appointment of new trustees.
It now operates as a place for families and the wider community, rather than a members-only club, as a way to ensure its survival.
Following its revival and reopening towards the end of 2022, an application for a variation of its premises licence was submitted to Nottingham City Council.
A licensing meeting was held on Monday, September 4 to determine whether the licence should be granted.
Frank Fender, who was representing the applicant, said: “Basford Hall Miner’s Welfare is a very long-standing premises within Nottingham. The premises has operated for many, many years.
“Today’s application to vary the licence has nothing to do with the current permitted activities or the times. They remain the same.
“This application seeks to add external areas to the premises licence and also add a new kiosk from which various products, including alcohol, can be sold.”
Three new outside areas have been planned and the new kiosk will allow drinks to be purchased outdoors, rather than only inside.
It was hoped alcohol would be able to be sold until 10pm, but a meeting with residents resulted in this being cut down to 9pm.
Despite this, one resident continued to object.
The complainant raised concerns over people being able to see into residents’ windows and gardens, as well as noise.
It was said “many residents” had complained about noise levels to Environmental Health, however it did not submit any representation or objections.
Mr Fender said notices for customers to keep noise levels down would be put up in response.
“The kiosk will alleviate the pressures on the bar staff working inside the building and it will also provide for additional supervision of the external area,” he added.
“At present, these areas can be used without these conditions, granting today’s application will surely mean less potential of nuisance to residents and neighbouring properties.”
Cllr Audrey Dinnall (Lab), the chairwoman of the meeting, said: “How many staff will you have monitoring what is happening outside to keep everything under wraps and quiet?”
Michael Wilson, a trustee who was also at the meeting, said: “If the kiosk is open, there will always be one person in the kiosk.
“There will be several people collecting the glasses and monitoring. We have also got surveillance in all the areas, which we have installed, so we have satisfied the police in that area.”
Cllr Dinnall said conditions had been agreed with Nottinghamshire Police and noted they would address any potential for public nuisance and crime.
