Police and council officials have objected to a crazy golf firm’s application for a drinks licence.
Funplay Hove Limited, the owner of Jurassic Golf, next to the King Alfred Leisure Centre, in Kingsway, Hove, wants a licence to sell alcohol from 9am to 9pm daily for consumption on and off the premises.
The business, owned by Gary Heal, 45, is described in its application as a site offering children’s rides and an adventure golf course with a kiosk and catering outlet offering food such as pizza, chips and hot and cold drinks.
The application is for a café-style licence which means that substantial food must be available at all times when alcohol is on sale.
Kingsway is in a busy part of Brighton and Hove where the council restricts new late-night and alcohol-led licences because the area is saturated with licensed premises.
Sussex Police objected to the inclusion of off-sales in the application and raised concerns about protecting children from harm and the potential effect on crime and disorder in the area.
Inspector Ben Morrison said: “Alcohol consumed within the footprint of these attractions could be detrimental to the locality and increase the associated risks.
“Due to the area attracting families with children, this could expose them to a more adult type of environment whose behaviour might not be suitable for that audience type.
“By adding alcohol, it could attract adult groups rather than more family-oriented, especially during the summer months.
“The area this licence covers is large with most of it is outside. This would make it hard to ensure there is no proxy sales of alcohol to under-18-year-olds or to persons that are already intoxicated.”
Council licensing officer Emily Fountain said that restrictions on new off-sales licences in central Hove resulted from concerns about the effects on crime and disorder.
A Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel, made up of three councillors, is due to hear the case at 10am next Monday (9 February). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
I genuinely thought this had closed down. An eyesore.
Let’s get some flats built there ASAP