Late-night licence approved for Corn Exchange in Newark by Newark and Sherwood District Council
After being closed for several years, Newark's Corn Exchange is set to re-open as a nightclub and multi-use venue after a licence was approved.
Newark and Sherwood District Council licensing committee has today (April 3) granted a licence for the premises after it heard statements from the applicant and residents.
The move follows more than three years of negotiations between the council and the owners of the Grade-II listed building on Castlegate over its future.
These talks have included discussion on the wider building’s licence, closing times and the time any operators could serve alcohol until — opening up the opportunity for the site to become a nightclub once again.
Initial plans were lodged in 2020 before a licence for the whole building was approved in summer 2022.
This new licence mirrors the original licence but will allow a nightclub and bar to operate from 8am each day on the ground and first floors.
It will close at 2am on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3.30am on Thursdays and Sundays, and 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The sale of alcohol will also be limited to 2am, 3am and 4am respectively.
Matt Clark, of Corn Exchange Ltd, said: "This licence is purely a shadow of the one already granted.
"The premises can open already, as it is, with a larger capacity and area being used.
"But I think this licence is proportionate to the town and I believe this premises being reopened helps the town centre and the community.
"We've seen recently that Wetherspoons are looking at leaving the town because the trade is not buoyant enough as far as the day and night-time economy goes.
"Let’s hope we can work together in order to improve the town centre."
Speaking on behalf of other residents on Millgate, close to the Corn Exchange, Anthony Aspbury expressed concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour.
He said: "I respect that people want to attend venues.
"But the reality is, the nature of this venue — and the context it sits — will attract the wrong sorts of people.
"We, as local residents, have the right of a reasonable existence free of crime and anti-social behaviour.
"I accept it’s a minority, but it’s a minority that has a major impact — and on the reputation of the town.
"We’re trying to encourage and develop the town. But, if there’s urine and defecation in the streets and broken bottles, that’s not conducive to the image of the town.”
In response Mr Clark said that there was no guarantee of past problems and incidents repeating themselves.
Councillors adjourned the meeting before approving the application.
The licensing approval also allows the building to be used as a multi-use venue, with part of the building being turned into a café or restaurant, although a separate licensing application would likely follow.
