Booze bid for former Whitley Bay Church given the go-ahead

An application for a licence to serve booze from 10am to 11pm seven days a week from the St Edward’s Centre, on Roxburgh Terrace, was granted by North Tyneside councillors on Tuesday.

The applicant Alastair McGillivray will use the space as a venue for events such as farmers’ markets, exhibitions and conferences.

But some residents were opposed and the authority received 12 objections.

Those against the plans raised fears about noise, parking and anti-social behaviour.

One pointed out the number of venues selling alcohol locally saying the area doesn’t need any more.

They also said that the building is in a street that requires permits to park and that there is already “pressure” on spaces for cars.

Another warned the venue could lead to “noise nuisance for local residents and exacerbate major problems regarding car parking”.

One resident added: “My fear is that we will be massively impacted by any anti-social behaviour by patrons entering and leaving the premises as both of the doors leading to the church are next to us.

“My fear is that we will be massively impacted by any anti-social behaviour, similar to what used to occur in South Parade and other streets, when after leaving licensed premises, patrons were sick, urinated or fought beside, or even in the gardens of residential properties.”

However, one supporter said they “warmly welcomed” the proposals describing the “self evident improvement of the previously dilapidated St Edward’s centre.”

They added: “As a fellow teetotal adherent it is my understanding that the application is intended solely to enhance social events for those wishing to partake and is in no shape or form resemblant of a transition into providing a publicly facing bar or point of night life.”

Despite residents’ misgivings councillors sitting on the authority’s licensing sub-committee voted to approve the proposals saying they’re satisfied that the premises would only be used for events and not as “walk in bar”.

The committee said the issues raised by residents had been addressed or would be addressed by the conditions attached to the licence.

The minutes which will give the conditions will be published on the authority’s website in the next five working days.