Club could lose licence

A social club in Cannock which dates back almost a century could have its licence revoked after a flood of complaints about fighting and loud music.

Staffordshire Police has strongly recommended the premises licence for Blackfords Sports & Social Club be revoked and the call was supported by Cannock Chase Council's environmental protection section.

Nine residents living close to the club in Cannock Road, Blackfords, have also formally asked for the situation to be reviewed. People claimed they were being kept awake because of noise from the premises.

Roy Prince, a financial advisor who lives in Gresham Road, said: "We have not invited friends to our house for nearly two years now because the disturbance is so significant.

"For the same reason, we no longer use our conservatory and I find bottles and bricks in the garden which have been thrown over the fence from the car park."

Police dealt with 53 incidents directly linked to the club between May 1 last year and August 3 this year including violence, drunkenness, noise, criminal damage, plus allegations of under age drinking and drug offences.

Cannock Chase Council's licensing sub-committee will decide what to do on Wednesday and also has the power to suspend the licence for up to three months, change its conditions, remove the designated premises supervisor or exclude a certain activity. It could also decide to issue an informal warning.

The premises licence is held by Stephen Fijalkowski and Stanley Parker who both live in the same street. In a statement, Mr Fijalkowski said the club had a responsible attitude. "The club will deny that it has been in breach of any of the four licensing objectives."