Decision over late-night venue’s expansion in Smethwick delayed after fire service concerns

Windsor Complex in Bearwood, Smethwick had applied to Sandwell Council for permission to change its licence as part of plans to open new snooker and pool rooms and a function room.

Sandwell Council’s licensing committee met on May 19 following the objection from the region’s fire service and agreed to defer a decision for three months to allow for the owners of the Windsor Complex to carry out any remaining work to satisfy the fire service and building regulations.

The application for the Windsor Complex asks for permission to add indoor sporting events to its licence as well as extending the area where alcohol can be sold to the whole venue – including the upper floors where a new function room and snooker and pool room would be added.

West Midlands Fire Service objected to the move over public safety concerns after it said the Bearwood Road venue had failed to provide it with proof it had made changes agreed when the licence was changed nearly a year ago.

The fire service said the venue had agreed to show evidence that automatic fire alarms had been extended to a ‘void’ above its bowling alley within two months but had not done so. This was “despite chasing [it] on several occasions,” the fire service said. The agreement also stated the venue would use its newly extended opening hours until the fire service had been notified.

The agreement signed in May 2024 by the venue also said the upper floors of the venue would not be used until the “building [had] been completed in accordance with a suitable building regulations application” which the fire service said it had also not received any proof.

The application read with the same statement used in 2024: “The premises has always had a positive impact on the community, which includes employees, suppliers, customers, the environment, and the people in the local area. It will always show due diligence to the licensing objectives and ensure it is run in an efficient and safe manner.”

The Windsor Complex was handed a late-night licence by Sandwell Council last year despite protests from neighbours.

The venue, home to an Indian grill, bowling alley and arcade, was given permission to open until 3.30am despite several neighbours saying their lives had been plagued by loud noise and drunk and rowdy behaviour coming from the Bearwood venue.

The objectors to the plans have listed a catalogue of concerns ranging from anti-social behaviour to fly-tipping, broken glass, urinating in streets and constant loud music.

The objections, which were published in redacted form by Sandwell Council ahead of the meeting, said the late-night hours were “unnecessary.”