Ruling ‘great news’ for Sudbury boxing club
A SUDBURY sports club is set to reap the rewards of a council’s decision to allow boxing bouts to be staged at a nightclub, writes Neil Bracegirdle.
Easterns Station Lounge in Station Road was granted permission to change its premises licence at a meeting on Wednesday.
The alteration means that the club will be able to hold boxing and wrestling matches, between Sundays and Thursdays, without having to apply for a temporary events licence.
Dave Pratt, owner of the venue, said the club could now assist Sudbury Boxing Club by putting on events.
“We have staged boxing with the club in the past and it will now be a lot easier to do that,” he said.
“We won’t make any money out of it, but will be able to help the boxing club and reward the effort that goes into it. The discipline it teaches kids is amazing.”
The plans to vary the nightclub’s licence had appeared to be in danger when Suffolk Police objected to the proposals.
Becky Kidd-Stanton, the force’s licensing inspector, said the proposed removal of women door supervisors and the requirement to have a personal licence holder at the club at all times when alcohol was being served, during boxing and wrestling events, posed concerns.
However, the plans were passed by members of Babergh District Council’s licensing sub-committee and Mr Pratt, whose grandson, Charlie, 14, and stepsons, Callum, 16, and Billy Bloys, 11, attend the town’s boxing club, said he was delighted.
“The boys are over the moon and so are all the other children,” said Mr Pratt, who has run Easterns for nearly 30 years.
“It means less travelling, will make money for the club and is superb for the children in the area.”
The boxing club was set up in the 1950s and currently has more than 70 members. It has plans to hold two events at the venue later this year.
“This is good news for us,” said Neil Anderson, the club’s head coach.
“It takes away the aggravation of always needing to apply for a temporary licence and could save us up to £400 when putting on events.”
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Weather for Sudbury
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
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Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
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