The venue’s operators said they would carefully supervise alcohol sales
Operators of a sports venue in a South London park have said they want to sell alcohol to see “community and socialising” among visitors. Nick and Lisa Newton, who run Wimbledon Park Sports and Athletics Track, have applied to Wandsworth Council for an alcohol licence for the facility, in Wimbledon Park, which they said would allow members and spectators to share a drink after games or events.
The application attracted five objections, which raised concerns the sale of alcohol would result in anti-social behaviour from drunk customers and impact people in the park. It also received one letter of support.
Nick Newton said he and Lisa had applied to sell alcohol at the facility’s bar to athletes, members, coaches, spectators and guests of sporting events in response to requests from customers. He told the council’s licensing hearing on July 9 the couple wanted to see “community and socialising” at the facility.
Objector Fran Stewart, a local resident, said she was concerned about alcohol being sold near to students as the site was used by schools. She said: “It is well-known that sale of alcohol can lead to congregation of people and unsocial activity and you have young adolescents running around in their PE kit.”
Mr Newton said they had scaled back the application after listening to residents’ feedback, including reducing the number of events they would hold annually from 24 to 20.
He said they had reduced the hours they had applied for to 9pm, with a limited number of events ending at 10.30pm, and alcohol would not be served on weekdays until 12pm.
The operators said they would supervise alcohol sales and were not expecting any drunk or disorderly behaviour from customers.
Mr Newton said: “We’re focussed on improving a tired and underinvested council facility and bringing it up to a level of being a first-class, friendly, professional, well-operated asset to the park and local community. We care very deeply about the power of good in sport.”
He added: “This is a sports facility not a drinking venue. The licence is for the whole of the athletics stadium and sports hub, which serves established athletics clubs and their members, schools, padel players and the wider community. Alcohol is entirely ancillary to that sporting use.”
The facility has an athletics track, padel courts, spectator areas, a clubhouse and café and bar.
The council’s decision on the application will be published in the coming days.
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