Vue Entertainment Licence application: round 2

When Terrace Hill Developers put in their planning application for the cinema complex, I recall that we registered no objections - thinking that the development would be appropriately managed, regulated and good for Darlington.

Little did we realise that an application would follow for licensing hours that were so extravagantly long and late.

Reminding ourselves of the time when, during the development phase, we wrote an unanswered letter to the developers, there seems to have been little local engagement by either the developers,Terrace Hill or Vue Entertainments.

Our last blog entry bears the letter of objection that I sent on our behalf. It is clear, and to the point. It records our reasonable concerns, and proposes a very generous compromise.

If nothing else, it has created a response....but not a particularly encouraging one!

In his letter set out below, the para-legal for Vue Cinemas seems not to address our particular concerns, nor comment on our proposal for compromise - but simply to request that we arrange a meeting at which they can 'answer questions and concerns'.

Am I alone in thinking that this approach is totally inadequate, and suggests that our letter of objection has not been properly considered?

Unless residents ask me to engage in this particular process, it is my view that we should follow the official channels of challenge to the proposed application.

Do let me know your views.


Letter on behalf of Vue Entertainment

Dear Sir,

Allow me to introduce myself I work for the Solicitors Poppleston Allen which represent Vue Cinema.

As you are aware we have submitted a new premises licence on their behalf. We would like to arrange a meeting with yourselves and members of the resident group for a presentation of the planned cinema.

Kam Dosanjh, the Operations Manager for Vue Cinema, would be able to meet and answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding the application.

The availability of Kam is limited and he would like to set the meeting with you for Saturday 11^th July 2015 at Midday. The only problem that he would have is a meeting venue, the Council Offices would not be open at the weekend and the cinema is currently a building site. Would there be any available rooms or venues that you would be able to set the meeting up?

Thank you for your time in considering this e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Many thanks
Craig Barwell

Letter from the Licensing Officer Patrick Montgomery <Patrick.Montgomery@darlington.gov.uk> 2 Jul (6 days ago) to me Dear Mr Twist, I acknowledge receipt of your representation and confirm that the process for arranging a Licensing Committee hearing to consider the matter is underway. I will keep you informed of progress on this. Could I please ask you to telephone me as soon as is convenient to discuss the process? Regards, Patrick Montgomery Licensing Officer Town Hall Darlington DL1 5QT Tel: 01325 405980