A £4 million entertainment complex in Carlisle has been granted a licence with reduced opening hours.
Members of Cumberland Council’s licensing sub-committee met at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Monday to debate the application from Stack Carlisle.
Plans have been approved for the complex, created out of 50 shipping containers, to open on the site of the former Her Majesty’s Theatre on the Lowther Street car park and its licensing for alcohol sales and various forms of entertainment was the next hurdle to overcome.
It was brought before the sub-committee because there had been two objections to the scheme, who feared the development would have:
- A disregard of local residents who will be at the forefront of a drinking establishment on a daily basis;
- A drinking establishment that is open seven days a week will lead to an unacceptable increase in anti-social behaviour;
- The hours proposed would be unacceptable adjacent to adjoining residential properties;
- A significant amount of noise and disturbance from users of the facility, delivery vehicles and from amplified music;
- The site is located next to schools and a college and also beside a support house;
- There are vulnerable youngsters in an area with increased drug use and gas dealing;
- The proposed access for delivery vehicles will pose a risk to their safety.
Speaking at the meeting Charles Holland, a barrister acting on behalf of the applicant, said: “It’s going to look like it’s made out of shipping containers but it will be an entirely new building.”
He said it would offer a mix of street food outlets run by tenants, bars run by his client and live entertainment events – in addition there will a central plaza with a balcony and stage, all covered by a glass framed roof.
Mr Holland said originally it had been proposed to have a retractable roof but, after receiving acoustic advice, it was decided to have a fixed roof to reduce noise.
The committee heard that the venue would have a total capacity of 1,500 people and it would cost £4 million to build.
Mr Holland said they had originally asked that it be open to the public between 8am and 1.30am, Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and 8am and 2.30am, Friday and Saturday, but his client had suggested that it could close earlier.
He said a key issue was public nuisance and he added: “We are not asking for a blank cheque to make residents’ lives a misery.”
Mike Sanderson, who lives in neighbouring Chapel Street, objected to the application and said that there was already an ex-servicemen’s club nearby and the development would lead to increased numbers.
He added: “This expands to levels that are not acceptable – 1,500 people, how are they going to disperse?”
The sub-committee deliberated over the application for more than an hour before they unanimously decided to grant the licence but with modified hours.
Councillor Sam Pollen (Egremont, Labour), the committee chairman, said it would close at midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 1am on Friday and Saturday, and he added that it would reduce the risk of noise.
In addition, the permission covers plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music, performance of dance, late night refreshment and the sale of alcohol.
It is hoped that the multi-million-pound container village will open its doors next year and create a new and exciting chapter for leisure in the city.
Speaking after the decision, Neill Winch, chief executive of Stack, said: “We are delighted that we are now one step closer to bringing Stack Carlisle to fruition.
“We are excited to show everyone what a huge attraction it will be and how it will complement the existing leisure offering and be a massive boost to the local economy.”
