Vue Entertainment Licences - Vue Cinema Feethams

A small poster, tucked away against the new development in Feethams notifies the following application:

Notice of application for the grant of a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Notice is hereby given that Vue Entertainment Limited has applied to Darlington Borough Council for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Premises to be known as Vue Cinema, Feethams Leisure, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 4QT The proposed licensable activities and their hours are :to permit the performance of plays, live music, recorded music and performance of dance from 0800 until 0300 each day; to permit the sale of alcohol from 0800 to 0230 each day; the showing of films and opening hours 24 hours each day and late night refreshment from 2300 to 0500 each day. Any representations regarding the above-mentioned application must be received in writing by Licensing Authority Darlington Borough Council/Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 5QT no later than 1st July 2015 stating the grounds for representation. The register of Darlington Borough Council and the record of the application may be inspected at the address of the council, given above,during normal business hours or on the council's website - www.darlington.gov.uk

Here is a copy of my submission on your behalf:

The South Terrace Residents' Group is aware of this application, and as president of the group, I have been asked to respond on their behalf.
Darlington Council website is unhelpful as to how our objections can be recorded. We anticipate that this is not a Planning matter, but hope that you can forward our comments to the relevant department at the Town Hall. The 'no later than' date for receipt of objections is 1 July 2015.


The residents of South Terrace have the following concerns in relation to the applications by Vue Entertainments Limited, for Vue Cinema Feethams:

• The duration of the performance licence: we feel that 0300 hrs is too late and will result in localised disturbance and traffic noise whilst residents are sleeping.
• The duration of the alcohol sale licence: we feel that 0230 hrs is too late, and will result in a late night influx of customers, with attendant issues relating to alcohol and public order. It is of note that the council do not permit sales as late as this at other venues for good reason.
• The late night refreshment licence: we cannot see justification for 0500 hrs, and consider that this will result in localised noise disturbance and traffic noise whilst residents are sleeping.

We contend that:

1. existing residents' right to undisturbed environment and a night's sleep has priority over late night operations.
2. performances should terminate no later than 0100 hrs - which will give sufficient opportunity for Vue Entertainment Ltd to screen late night films;
3. the sale of alcohol should not extend beyond 1200 hrs midnight, save within the cinema bar and auditorium during late night screening, where sales could continue to 0100 hrs;
4. late night refreshment licence should be limited to 0200 hrs for venues within the semi-enclosed concourse only.

Some residents have expressed concerns in relation to the times suggested above, and would prefer earlier cessation. That which appears above not local consensus, but is proposed by the group as a reasonable compromise.

For the benefit of the licencing committee, it should be recorded that the South Terrace Residents' Group, is a long standing group comprising 43 households - 100% of currently occupied homes in South Terrace and Pease Cottages, DL1 5JA. http://southterrace.blogspot.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/southterrace/.

Please confirm receipt of this objection by email.

Stephen Twist
President South Terrace Residents' Group