A North Shields arts venue has withdrawn its application to temporarily serve alcohol this bank holiday weekend after Northumbria Police raised objections.
The owners of Studio 12A, formerly Pots and Pancakes on 12a Russell Street, applied for a 'Temporary Event Notice' (TEN) with North Tyneside Council, permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption within the venue for May 5 and 6. However, Northumbria Police objected to the application based on complaints received from the last time a TEN was granted.
A previous TEN was permitted on April 14 and 15, 2023, for a live music performance and charity event, according to co-owner Heactor Teasdale, 24, around 60 to 75 people attended.
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This was later subject to complaints including people drinking on the street, public nuisance, and concerns about the age of patrons within the premises. Police were also wary given the location of the premises, which according to documentation is a "hotspot" for anti-social behaviour and feared the TEN could make things worse.
Police documentation states: "North Shields has the highest crime and incident demand within Northern Area command and within D1 Bedford Street is the top location, Bedford Street adjoins onto Russell Street. 12a Russell Street is a three-minute walk to the North Shields Metro Station which is the top Metro Station within the area command for incidents and crime and therefore a high demand station".
Hector Teasdale, 24, said: "I would like to open up a conversation regards giving details to each other and working alongside police. We saw the ambition for North Shields and that's why we positioned where we positioned.
"It was naivety, I thought being near the busiest Metro station was good for business not thinking it could be dangerous. I know they are pumping a lot of money into making that area nicer and we want our business to be part of that.
"We want to be a part of and work alongside the ambition and bring arts to North Shields."
Mr Teasdale also stated that before any further licences were applied for, CCTV and security personnel would be installed to prevent any future issues. The local businessman said the licensing sub-committee gave him a "really good hearing and I understand where they are coming from".
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