All-singing Westfield cinema to offer late night booze

Vue had hoped for permission to offer booze until 2.30am every night, but a licensing hearing on Monday (14) limited the sale of alcohol to before 12.30am.

It followed opposition from a handful of residents living nearby, some of whom questioned the kind of events planned once the venue throws open its doors in the new year.

Joan Power, of Macfarlane Road, said: "I understood that a cinema had been planned, not a 24 hour venue for music events, plays, concerts and whatever else they choose to hold.

"We already suffer from noise from car radios and car doors slamming throughout the evening, particularly when the centre is closing. Our street is used as a public toilet so I can only assume the problem will continue and get worse when the revellers leave the venue."

Neil Lumsden, also of Macfarlane Road, said: "Westfield is a shopping centre with restaurants. There is no reason at all for its remit to be extended to late night clubbing and drinking. This is primarily a residential area, not the West End."

A licence application submitted by the chain before Monday's hearing played down any concerns about alcohol being consumed in the dark and late at night, claiming several Vue cinemas which are already licensed elsewhere in the country only sell an average of 1.4 bottles of beer for every 100 visitors.

Staff equipped with 'night vision goggles or equivalent' will be present in each auditorium to monitor the screen and the behaviour of customers.

The report said: "In practice it will not be on sale for all screenings. Management will decide based upon the film being shown, the time of day, and other factors what the likely profile of the audience will be. Alcohol will only be sold where the likely profile is a predominantly adult audience.

"Where this is the case alcohol will be sold from a portable tray or trolley. It will be on sale prior to the start of a film or programme or during an interval when the house lights are illuminated."

Drinks will be sold in plastic glasses or bottles, except at private events such as premieres, and staff will be trained to challenge anyone who looks under 21, it said.

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