Out of town retail park Flemingate will hold talks today with residents behind closed doors as they try to offer assurances over licence application.
Flemingate, owned by the Wykeland Group, have put an application in for Grassed area, for the ‘Sale of Alcohol, a Regulated Entertainment – Live and recorded music and Late night refreshment.
Residents are keen to object to the application following the increase they have seen in anti social behaviour caused by drinkers leaving the retail park.
Ironically, The Wykeland Group in neighbouring Hull are objecting to a licence extension close to a housing a development project they are undertaking.
Residents opposing this application should read what, David Donkin, from Wykeland said in his objection and frankly read it back to him, he wrote;
“The objection is to protect new residents and their families from public nuisance in the form of increased persons drinking outside. These increased outside drinking areas would be in close proximity to their homes, causing noise and anti-social behaviour.”
This raises a question of inequality. It would seem that Wykeland clearly understand the impact that late licences and alcohol have on people who live close by yet want to do just that in Beverley.
If East Riding of Yorkshire Council were to approve the application, it would mean that Wykeland can sell booze and play music seven days a week from 9AM till Midnight.
Given the number of venues located there which already sell booze it is hard to understand what value granting this licence would achieve.
Since opening two years ago Flemingate which boasts a Poundland, Subway and Greggs has never really lived up to expectation.
Their biggest attraction is without question the Fire Pit and the Cinema both of which add a lot of value to Beverley.
In Mr. Donkin’s own words – Increased outside drinking areas would be in close proximity to their homes, causing noise and anti-social behaviour – which is why Flemingate should have their application refused.
