Strippers, live music and bingo: Objections over new plans for Weymouth bingo hall
Three councillors will meet on Friday to decide on the new licence application
Objections to a Weymouth bingo hall including occasional strippers will be decided by councillors this week.
The new licence application for the former Buzz Bingo on Crescent Street asks for the building to continue being used for bingo – but also asks for permission for live music, dancing and strippers.
But these are likely to be male strippers for ‘ladies nights’ and are only expected to be held for 2-3 times a year, according to the new owners.
It says the former club held similar events, without problems, before it closed.
One objector, a guest house owner, will tell the licensing panel:
“I am unable to find any benefit in licensing a late-night bar/club with strippers permitted possibly seven days per week to the area. It is not in my opinion promoting Weymouth as a decent sea-side town for families to visit and stay at.”
The previous licence for Buzz Bingo was surrendered in September 2020 with the building closed since the first lockdown.
New owners Brown Leisure, trading under the name Leo Leisure and based at Eastleigh in Hampshire has asked for a licence between 10am and midnight to include ‘potential quiz nights and karaoke’ as well as occasional live music and dancing. The application says it may occasionally include strippers.
The application has led to three objections from Weymouth residents and the town council, although the town council objection has since been withdrawn after reassurances about operating hours and other issues.
Decision time
A three-councillor panel will meet online on Friday to decide the application, although may not announce the decision on the day.
The 10am meeting can be viewed online by using this link and will also be available to view after the meeting.
Brown Leisure says it has operated Bingo clubs for many years in Eastbourne, Eastleigh and Ryde, Isle of Wight. It says it wishes to revive the Weymouth Bingo club and its ancillary entertainment and has applies for the necessary licences.
“As with its other clubs, this club’s manager will hold a Personal Licence issued by the Gambling Commission, as well as a Personal Licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003. The club will operate under a membership scheme. Staff will be trained in the necessary aspects of Licensing and Gambling law, and the premises will offer a well-controlled and safe environment.”
A spokesman for the chain said it hopes to bring a positive benefit to the community by reopening the club with its CCTV acting as a deterrent for anti-social behaviour in the area.
Among the objections are neighbours to the rear of the building who let their flat in the summer months.
“We believe that the granting of a late opening licence and the change of use will lead to an increased public nuisance…the granting of this licence could have a detrimental impact on our business as a holiday let, and that of other guest houses/B&Bs around us,” said the objection letter to the council.
Another said that there would be ‘relentless traffic’ issues and warned about rubbish and noise, claiming: “I am like a prisoner here and this is going to add to my desperation and depression.”
The third objection came from the owners of a 14-bed guest house directly opposite the site:
“I am concerned the above late-night application will cause a major disruption to myself, family and guests by means of excessive noise and the inevitable alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour that comes with it. Notwithstanding our own needs our guests are paying for and entitled to a reasonable night’s sleep as we are too.”
A consultant for Leo Leisure said the family-run business was keen to be good neighbours and would do everything it could to ensure the neighbour’s worst fears did not happen.
“They are convinced that opening this club again will not cause the detriment you fear,” said a consultant for the company, offering to provide residents with the manager’s telephone number to call in the event of problems.
A solicitor’s letter to the council says that Leo Leisure would also limit the hours of taking out rubbish and receiving deliveries to minimise the disturbance to neighbours.