Stafford Snooker Club has had its bid for a 24-hour licence thrown out.

Club licensee Kevin Andrews applied for permission to sell alcohol all day and to hold indoor sporting events, play music, allow dancing and provide late night refreshments.

The Sandon Road premises are currently licensed to sell alcohol between 10am-11pm on Monday- Saturday and 12noon-10.30pm on Sunday.

Police, fire and environmental health officers from Stafford Borough Council all opposed the application, which was turned down by the borough’s licensing sub-committee yesterday.

Police claim that the application does not meet the licensing objectives regarding the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.

Fire officers agreed that the application does not meet public safety objectives as there is insufficient detail in the application and said more detailed plans are needed before they can make a decision on whether it is appropriate.

The environmental health commercial team said that a similar application was made in 1994 and was refused, following complaints from local residents and businesses.

The council officer claim the late opening hours would cause noise nuisance to nearby residents when people arrive and leave and say that the building has several ‘weak points’ when it comes to containing noise, including ventilation points and external doors.

Mr Andrews disputed this, saying the building was a former cinema, and as such was well soundproofed.

Mark Street, environmental health manager, said that he was concerned about noise generated by people entering and leaving the club and said that the terms of the application were so broad, the hall could even operate as a nightclub if they were agreed

Mr Andrews said this was not his intention and pointed out the snooker club is a private members club.

He said that he had applied to be licensed for entertainment so that wedding receptions and similar events could be held at the Sandon Road venue.

Speaking after the committee meeting he said he was unsurprised by the outcome and would not be appealing against the decision.

Currently just two Stafford bars have 24-hour licences, the Green Man at Hixon and the bar in the BT training centre in Yarnfields.

Mr Street said: “As far as I am aware both of these establishments have these licences for flexibility purposes. 

“They are not open to the public all day every day.”