Snooker club owners hit back after residents' concerns (From Your Local Guardian)

Snooker club owners hit back after residents' concerns

4:34pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Streatham By Rachel Blundy

The owners of a snooker club accused of being a hub for crime and anti-social behaviour have insisted that it provides a service for the community.

Elizabeth Ward, licence holder at the West Norwood snooker hall, said her club was a legitimate business which “did not do drug dealing or prostitutes”.

She told a public meeting at Chatsworth Baptist Church hall last Tuesday (February 7) that the club was regularly booked as a venue for “weddings, christenings and funerals” and had reduced the number of late night events it hosts.

She said residents were “more than welcome” to speak to her about their concerns and said she was willing to liaise with community members about noise levels.

Speaking later to the Streatham Guardian, she said: “It was nice to meet everybody. It’s all good- I’ve always been positive about this. People can come and speak to me if there are any issues.”

The meeting was called after councillors submitted an application to Lambeth Council for a review of the club’s licence, following complaints from local people.

In October 2010, residents reported hearing shots being fired by people leaving the club and in August last year, a 20-year-old man was shot dead at a nearby bus stop.

Councillor for Thurlow Park ward, John Whelan, who previously described the club as a “late night shebeen” for anti-social behaviour, said the application for the licence review had failed on a “technicality” and could be re-submitted.

But he said he now felt confident the club’s owners would work to minimise disruption for people living nearby.

He said: “It has been a very positive thing that the club owners were [at the meeting].

“I think the ball is in their court to reintegrate with the local community. I think [they] will feel a great responsibility to work with the community.”

Councillor Clare Whelan added that she hoped it would not be necessary to re-submit a licence review.

“I just hope this is part of a precedent that will make life better for residents,” she said.