£2m project to re-open Newark's Corn Exchange could be ditched over licensing issue

A nightclub operator says it could pull the plug on plans to re-open the Corn Exchange in Newark if licensing restrictions are not relaxed.

Honeybars Leisure Ltd wants to re-open the Castlegate venue, which has been closed since 2011, in a £2m project.

It gained an alcohol licence from Newark and Sherwood District Council in September to open from 8am-3am the following day on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 8am-1am Monday to Thursday.

Honeybars has permission to serve alcohol until half-an-hour before closing time, but has now asked to extend the licence on Fridays and Saturdays for another 15 minutes until 2.45am.

The company has also applied to stage live entertainment for an extra 30 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays, until 3am, and wants to serve drinks in glassware until it closes.

Honeybars, which said it was grateful to the council for granting its original licence, said: “It is highly likely that (if the application is turned down) the company would have no other option than to abort all plans for the property and concentrate on investments in other parts of the region.”

Mr Matthew Clark, company director of Activ-Group, of which Honeybars is a subsidiary, said the nightclub would not be viable unless licensing restrictions were relaxed.

“We want nothing more than to bring this property back to life, offering high-class entertainment and an experience not currently available in the (Newark and Sherwood) district,” he said.

“The company has ring-fenced investment monies for the site, which would deliver a £2m venue that all could be proud of to the town, not to mention the employment opportunities and availability of the site for social uses.”

Under the current licensing permission, all drinks would be served in plastic beakers after 10pm, with the exception of champagne and wine glasses.

In its new application, the club said it would serve pints and half-pints in toughened glasses, encourage customers to drink from bottles and have staff on hand to remove used glasses.

It said all staff would be trained to clear away used glasses and clean up broken glass and spillages.

A licensing hearing to consider the proposed changes will take place on Monday at Kelham Hall at 2pm.

Honeybars said the club would employ around 40 people and would be available for charity and social functions.

It said it was keen to bring headline entertainment to the town at weekends.

It has met with local residents to discuss their concerns about problems associated with night-time venues in Newark and said it had taken into account concerns from all parties.

The club gained its licence despite concerns from police about a possible rise in anti-social behaviour and violence, and concerns from residents about the level of noise created by people leaving the premises.

The Corn Exchange dates from 1848 when it was a corn exchange for merchants and farmers.

It was a bingo hall from 1971 to 1993 and a nightclub from 1994 to 2011.