Objections to license application for Carlton Park hotel ahead of hearing
It was Rotherham’s flagship hotel but has been used as homeless accommodation
An application for a drinks and entertainment license at Rotherham’s Carlton Park Hotel - used to house the homeless - will be decided by councillors, in the face of objections.
The business was previously licensed for “licensable activities” between 10.30am and 2am the following morning, but that was surrendered in 2024.
Now Hotels and Resorts Ltd have applied for a Premises Licence for the Moorgate premises, though there have been objections from Rotherham Council, as a ‘responsible authority’, a Rotherham Councillor and 36 other people.
An initial application was made in May and updated in August, reducing the hours that activities would be allowed.
The new application also cut out elements of the original, including to allow the performance of plays, dance and indoor spots.
Now the council is being asked to approve the sale of alcohol, for consumption on and off the premies, performance of live and recorded music and provision of late-night refreshments, indoors, between 10am and midnight.
The aim is to open up the hotel’s bar to guests and the public and “restore Carlton Park to the reputable hotel and hospitality venue it historically was,” states Hotels and Resorts Ltd.
The hours have been trimmed back from 8am to midnight, which also included a proposed 1am deadline on Friday and Saturday nights.
One hour extensions would be made at public holidays.
The council’s licensing sub-committee will make a decision on the application on September 15.
The council’s response to the application is that “the licensing authority is opposed to the grant of this application as it considers that the applicant has not sufficiently demonstrated that the steps they are proposing will sufficiently promote the public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance and the protection of children from harm licensing objectives.”
There are also concerns that homes nearby could be affected by noise, with no details of steps to mitigate that.
The report states: “It is understood that the hotel is currently used to temporarily accommodate homeless individuals.
“The applicant has not taken into consideration the vulnerable nature of these people, nor the potential impact that the sale of alcohol within the hotel is likely to have.
“The licensing authority is concerned that this activity will increase the already significant levels of crime and disorder within the area.”
Cllr Taiba Yasseen said in a statement that she has “raised repeated and well documented concerns about street drinking, drug use, anti-social behaviour, intimidation, disorder and community safety.”