Extended hours and rooftop terrace approved for Rawmarsh venue

Rotherham Council’s licensing sub-committee rubber stamped the application for Wigtox Lounge on South Street, which had attracted strong interest from both supporters and objectors.

Members agreed to allow the venue to start serving alcohol and providing entertainment from 9am every day, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays, when last orders will now be at 1am and closing time set at 1.30am.

The committee also approved the use of a rooftop terrace with restrictions.

Customers will be able to use the space for food and drink until 9pm, after which it will be limited to smoking only.

The terrace cannot be brought into use until a specialist noise reduction scheme has been designed and installed.

A previous condition preventing entry after 11pm has been removed, but councillors introduced a new requirement for door staff or a designated noise manager to be on duty after that time on weekends to help control noise as customers leave.

Plans to bring a first-floor function room into use were also approved, again subject to noise mitigation measures.

These include installing self-closing doors and ensuring they are not left open during operation.

The decision comes after concerns were raised by residents about potential noise, disruption and the impact on the surrounding residential area. Public health officials had also warned about longer hours and the venue’s proximity to a nearby school.

However, the application was backed by 93 supporters, who described the venue as a valuable community space.

Councillors ultimately agreed the proposals could go ahead with conditions in place to protect nearby residents, particularly around noise management.