Shouting, screaming and fighting fears as Calderdale club bids for new licence

Mr Colin Hufton has applied to the council requesting it grants a premises licence for The New Spitfire Club at Green Head Lane, Rastrick, to supply alcohol on the premises between 3pm and 11pm, Monday to Thursdays, from 3pm to midnight on Fridays and from noon to midnight on Fridays on Saturdays.

Mr Hufton says in his application that it is intended the club will become a teatime drinking venue for locals, on a membership basis meaning applicants will be vetted and have to pay a small fee before being able to join and use it.

The new club, which is being promoted on Facebook, would be open from 3pm to 11.30pm, Mondays to Thursdays, from 3pm to 12.30am the following morning on Fridays and from noon to 12.30am the following morning on Saturday and Sunday.

But Environmental Health officers, one of those opposing the application, said they had on record complaints received the last time the building as operated as licensed premises between 2008 and 2013 when it traded under various names including The Barn, The Rastrick Alehouse and The Spitfire Club, and were concerned opening it as licensed premises again will lead to similar nuisance issues.

Their submission states these range from noise including loud music from inside the premises but also issues outside “in respect of excessive and boisterous behaviour including shouting, screaming, drinking on the street until 1 and 2am and to fighting and damage to cars.”

Other objections, including from the police, have also been received about the application, which councillors on the council’s Licensing Sub-committee will determine when it meets next Wednesday, February 26, at Halifax Town Hall, from 2pm.

But in his supporting statement Mr Hufton says he is aware of problems when the premises were licensed previously and is taking steps to avoid similar problems, including installing CCTV and using a video intercom system whereby people would have to be seen and admitted by a member of staff.

He has a proven track record of managing troublesome premises and turning them around, says the statement.

The police say their main concern is public nuisance: “The property has been empty for several years having previously been operated as a licensed bar and more recently a fancy dress shop.

“The last premises licence was surrendered in 2013 by the operator at the time due to numerous regular complaints, from local residents, of noise nuisance.”

Potential noise from a beer garden and smoking area at the front of the club would be likely to raise similar issues again, say the police.

They argue: “This objection is based solely on the fact that the premises is located so close to residential properties and it is not thought that any additional measures can be introduced which will satisfactorily address the public nuisance and noise element.”

Residents share the concerns and add issues about traffic.