Cochrane Park granted alcohol licence

Grace Dean reports as the pavilion at Cochrane Park is granted an alcohol licence.

Grace Dean
28th October 2019
Image: Pixabay
Students are now able to purchase alcohol from the bar at Cochrane Park.

A hearing on Tuesday 22 October with Newcastle City Council's licensing sub-committee’s granted a licence for alcohol sale at the venue’s pavilion, which is operated by the Students’ Union.

Alcohol sale will be permitted between 11am and 10:30pm each day
The bar will only have a "small alcohol offering", and will serve a range of other refreshments including Starbucks coffee and non-alcoholic drinks, and all alcohol purchased much be consumed on the premise. Though the licence states that alcohol sale will be permitted between 11am and 10:30pm each day, its opening hours will additionally be limited to when Cochrane Park is being used for sport, meaning that late-night disruption will be minimal. These licensing hours are actually much more restrictive than the ones the site had prior to the refurbishment.

This addressed feedback given in the focus review group meetings prior to the redevelopment, in which students voiced the need for a space to provide pre- and post-match refreshments was essential, which is something that NUSU were asked to provide on behalf of our students.

"Having the pavilion balcony so that teams can watch games and support other University teams will really add to the team spirit and culture that we’re developing here as Newcastle Sport"

Joe Gubbins, AU Officer

Athletics Union Officer Joe Gubbins said: “The redevelopment of the facilities and pavilion at Cochrane Park is a massive boost to our students. Not only do we have top quality sporting facilities to play on but it also allows that team culture to grow and is vastly better for spectators. Having the pavilion balcony so that teams can watch games and support other University teams either before or after their own games will really add to the team spirit and culture that we’re developing here as Newcastle Sport. The bar is a great addition as a space to relax after games or grab a hot drink for winter afternoons while supporting on the sidelines.”

A group of neighbours had objected to the proposals over fears of noise and unruly behaviour", leading to the creation a petition signed by residents stating that the licensing will "cause a public nuisance for residents living nearby", particularly due to the proximity of young families or elderly residents. One critic of the licensing plans argued: "I am concerned about drunk and disorderly behaviour that will inevitably come. Whether it is just loud, yobbish behaviour at bus stops or tipping over people's bins, to the vandalism of people's cars and property." However, none of these concerned neighbours attended the hearing last Tuesday.

Graham Hattam, the Students’ Union's Director of Commercial, addressed the concerns: "While we appreciate the concerns of residents, we have tried to engage with them to address those concerns and unfortunately have been unsuccessful."

£8.5m
Cochrane Park was renovated during Easter by the University at a cost of £8.5m. The site now includes three new artificial pitches, a rowing ergometer training centre, a larger sports pavilion with upgraded changing facilities, and further car parking spaces. The site had previously been used as a training venue for the 2012 Olympic Games.

AUTHOR: Grace Dean
Editor-in-Chief of the Courier 2019/20, News Editor 2018/19, writer since 2016 and German & Business graduate. I've written for all of our sections, but particularly enjoy writing breaking news and data-based investigative pieces. Best known in the office for making tea and blasting out James Blunt. Twitter: @graceldean

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ReLated Articles
magnifiercross
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap