Nightclub ‘has no place in our town’

BASSETLAW Council leader Simon Greaves has stated it would be a ‘backwards step’ if a new nightclub was to open in Worksop.

Plans to turn the vacant ground floor of Crown House, on the corner of Hardy Street, into a nightclub are a step closer after planning consent was granted by the authority.

But its location, close to nearby residential streets and businesses, sparked concern among a community who fear it will see an increase in night time disruption.

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“If there is a prize for a bad idea of the month, I would award it to this,” said councillor Greaves.

“It would be a far greater benefit for the town centre if we had businesses looking to appeal to a family friendly audience.”

Worksop has been there and done that before with nightclubs. Now, people tend to travel if they want to go to a nightclub.”

“I’m certainly against future expansion of late night drinking in the town centre and would see this as a backwards step.”

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He said it ‘wouldn’t be worthy for the night time economy’ and stated ‘serious implications’ it would have on policing.

His comments come despite the council’s decision to change the use of the building from ‘retail’ to a ‘drinking establishment’.

The building stands opposite the site of the former Reef nightclub on Newcastle Avenue.

“We are not happy about it,” said one Allen Street resident, who wished not to be named.

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“It was the constant noise of the club and disturbance afterwards which made life unbearable.”

“We had pizzas thrown at our windows and damage done to our cars, we just don’t want it again.”

Managing director of Jolly’s pawnbrokers and jewellers, next door to Crown House, said it was the rubbish which concerned him.

“It’s the sick and rubbish on my doorstep, kicking of the shutters and the alarm calls in the middle of the night,” said Sam Ginever.

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Developers Crystal Property, however, believe the location close to retail and the bus station was ‘ideal’ and said the nightclub would create jobs.

Chairman Stephen Ashworth said: “Our research has indicated that Worksop is currently without a nightclub, which is unusual for a town of this size.”

“The residents we have spoken to have been highly supportive, as have Bassetlaw Council who granted the A4 planning consent we needed to allow for nightclub use at the building.”

“We would possibly amalgamate this with bingo and other leisure uses. We feel that, with the right operator, a nightclub can be hugely successful.”

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