24 hour films at Vue

Its Monday 27 July 2015, and Darlington Council has granted the entertainment/licensing application for Vue Entertainment Ltd, facilitating a 24 hour showing of films, and alcohol sales through to 0230 hours each morning, with a 0500 hrs late night refreshment licence for non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

What does this mean for the terrace?

Sarah, Stephanie and I (who attended the hearing and made representations on your behalf) both conclude that the decision will inevitably affect the terrace in a number of ways. First, the issue of parking.

Whilst the new multi-storey car park in Beaumont Street will offer one parking option, it is clear that on-street parking in South Terrace (after the 6.00 pm residents' restriction) will offer major advantages to cinema-goers. By parking across the road here, they can avoid parking charges or restrictions - and can miss the exit crush as people dash to their cars at the end of a film.

With some screenings finishing in the early hours of the morning, this may result in disturbance in the street as Vue customers come to collect their cars, slam car doors and drive off.

A further issue relates to those who leave the cinema complex on foot. South Terrace back lane (both east and west) provides the first urinal, and Victoria Road a very likely exit point for pedestrians returning to the west end of town. We anticipate that night time screenings may result in a few sleepless nights for those with bedrooms at the back of their homes.

Clearly, the licensing committee was unimpressed by our representations, and on the balance of probabilities concluded that our concerns were disproportionate to the need for Vue Entertainment Ltd to trade throughout the night. Reminding ourselves that the licensing committee, Chaired by Councillor Cyndi Hughes with Councillors Sonia Kane and Brian Jones as wing members, are our elected members, it will now be important that we keep them in the loop of information should issues arise.

The key to dealing with any issue is to ensure that a proper record is made at, or about the time it arises. As evident at today's hearing, it is not enough simply to assert that there is or may be a problem. What is needed is evidence.

I suggest that where issues arise - whether in relation to the parking of cars or public order on the terrace - that residents make a prompt note of the issue and post details to our closed Facebook page or hand the note to one of the Resident Group's officers at no 23, 22 or 8. I am happy to collate the information if you wish me to do so.

In cases where the assistance of police is considered appropriate, residents should again record the incident and the police reference number, and pass the information on to us.

Returning then to parking - I propose that we make further representations to the council to extend the residents parking restriction to 24 hours. This would mean that, save for the limited number of non-resident spaces, on-street parking here on the terrace would become less attractive.

Dealing with the non-resident spaces, some of you will recall the 'Yellow Card' scheme proposed a few years ago. With the reduction of 'free spaces', a scheme like this has enhanced attraction.

Under the scheme, residents with permits to park are invited to take a 'free space' should one be available. The resident then has the option of placing their numbered card on the dashboard, indicating that, if asked, they will make their space available to another resident or their visitors. Simple as that! This way, we take control over parking on the terrace, rather than surrendering the terrace as an overflow car park for the town.

So, what else came out of the hearing? First, an agreed concession that alcohol sales will cease 30 minutes after the start of the last screening, or 2.30am, whichever is the earlier. Second, that alcohol sales are to be restricted to those who have purchased a cinema ticket. Third, that Vue Entertainment will post signs reminding customers of their proximity to a residential area and the need for consideration.

Some might say that we have wasted our time with our objection. Would they be right? Only time will tell, and much depends on the measures of control exercised by Vue Entertainment Ltd. If they get it right, we may be less affected than we thought; if not, your collective action in collecting evidence and re-organising our parking arrangements could become critically important.