Rotherham bar owners respond to concerns amid licensing review and hearing

The management team behind a town centre bar facing a licensing review application brought by the region's police chief has responded saying the venue has already “listened to concerns, taken things on board and made the improvements that have been asked.”

The licensing application review for The Sports Box – in the Imperial Buildings on High Street - was brought by the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police following “several breaches of the Premises Licence conditions”, according to Rotherham Council.

Rotherham Council’s interim service director for community safety and street scene, Sue Procter, said: “Review applications are uncommon.

“In the last year, there have been three review applications, two of which were submitted by South Yorkshire Police.

“Several breaches of the Premises Licence conditions (at the venue) were identified through incidents of public disorder, affray, alleged assaults, and staff not fully cooperating with the police investigation.

“The premises is also subject to an investigation of noise nuisance, which is being carried out by the Council’s Noise Team.”

Rotherham Council's Licensing Sub Committee will meet on November 23 to consider the review application, after representations supporting the licence holder closed on November 2.

Ahead of the RMBC committee meeting the bar owners say they had seen at least 64 positive representations – “every single one was to keep us open, not one to close us” – and had submitted their own response directly to the local authority addressing the concerns around the four areas highlighted by RMBC and the changes and improvements they had made already.

“The management and staff have worked hard to meet the requirements placed upon them and improve things where necessary,” said a spokesperson.

In a document seen by the Advertiser, the owners state: “We accept some procedures in early August were not to the standard expected.

“We instantly addressed all concerns raised and implemented the required procedures immediately.

“We ask you not to revoke our licence.”

As well as disputing an alleged GBH took place inside the venue, the owners highlighted actions and measures including the “entire CCTV system” being replaced and installing new outdoor cameras for the exit, no drinks outside after 9pm, a music limiter fitted, early police calls, and “logging all external disorder even if not our customers.”

The management also stated that while there was “no evidence of underage sales”, they accepted there had been under-recording of challenges and now “log ALL challenges regardless of whether sale allowed, as recommended.”

Representations supporting the licence holder included one regular customer who said: “Every time I've visited, I've found it to be a safe, clean and welcoming venue, and I've never once felt unsafe.”

Another said: “While I have witnessed incidents in the past, they have been effectively dealt with, staff have effectively intervened both inside the bar and its immediate vicinity to prevent incidents from escalating.

“This has included provision of first aid and assistance to emergency services.”

Another said: “I hadn’t been into Rotherham town centre for a long time until Sports Box opened.

“It’s given me a reason to start coming back into town again, and I think that says a lot about the place.”

A female customer said: “As a woman who values feeling safe when going out, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to have a venue where I can relax, enjoy watching sports and feel confident that my wellbeing is being taken seriously.

“I regularly choose Sports Box Bar over other establishments because I simply do not experience the same level of comfort, reassurance or sense of security elsewhere.”

Rotherham Council's Licensing Sub Committee will meet on November 23 at 10am to consider the review application.