Fareham padel centre given the green light to serve up alcohol
A new padel centre has been given the green light to serve alcohol despite “speculation” about what might happen from residents.
Padel players at Padel4All at Fareham Leisure Centre can now purchase alcohol after members of Fareham Borough Council’s licensing committee granted the application last week.
Following the approval, Padel4All can now serve alcohol between 11am and 10.30pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
During the meeting, two written objections and one spoken objection were heard.
But committee members were urged not to consider potential speculation about what might happen, and it was determined that “the residential objections received did amount to speculation”.
The minutes of the meeting read: “The panel noted the concerns of the residents, which included concerns about alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the wider area.
“While the panel acknowledged the sincerity of these concerns, it is noted that they were general and anticipatory, rather than evidence-based or directly attributable to this application.
“The panel was advised that it is not entitled to take into account speculation as to what might occur if the licence were granted.
“The panel was reminded that it had to make its decision based on factual evidence, and caselaw prevents any reliance on speculation.”
One written objection from resident Georgina Wise read: “There is a children’s play park next door and a skate park that already attracts anti-social behaviour in the area through drinking and drugs.”
The application also included plans to host indoor sporting events at the leisure centre during its opening hours. It also extended to playing recorded music indoors between 8am and 10pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday. Both of these additional requests were also approved.
Padel4All officially opened at the leisure centre on April 20.
Operations manager Luke Bedwell applied for a licence to sell alcohol on-site prior to the opening. The facility will be open between 8am and 10.30pm Monday to Friday, and between 8am and 8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, and will serve alcohol during these times.
The courts can have up to 16 people playing at any one time.