A proposal to permit alcohol sales at a Brighton social club has drawn opposition from local residents.
Valley Social Club, situated on Whitehawk Way in the seaside city, submitted an application to Brighton and Hove City Council seeking authorisation to serve alcoholic beverages exclusively on-site during specified hours.
The requested trading times would extend from 6pm until 11pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with reduced Sunday hours of noon to 6pm.
Both Sussex Police and the council’s licensing department offered no objection to the proposal.
The application aligns with existing policy permitting private members clubs to operate alcohol sales until midnight.
Ahead of a scheduled licensing panel hearing on Tuesday, September 22, draft licence conditions were negotiated with Sussex Police.
These proposed conditions would mandate the installation of security surveillance equipment and require any children under the age of ten to vacate the premises by 9pm.
In its submission, the club indicated that two employees would remain present during all hours when alcohol is available for purchase.
Six neighbouring residents formalised objections to the proposal.
Concerns expressed by those living nearby included street drinking, antisocial conduct, noise disturbance, and parking difficulties.
One resident, whose identifying information was removed by the council prior to publication, raised concerns regarding the venue’s setting within a residential neighbourhood comprising numerous homes, families with children, and households.
The objector questioned whether an establishment functioning as a bar or nightclub-style venue until 11pm represented a suitable addition to the area.
Further concerns centred on noise and disruption potentially arising from patrons arriving at and departing from the premises, particularly during evening hours, as well as possible litter accumulation and instances of antisocial behaviour.
Another objector, whose details were similarly redacted by the council, referenced official police statistics indicating that the Whitehawk and Marina ward experiences elevated crime levels compared to other areas.
The resident expressed concern that introducing daily late-night alcohol sales into a location already marked by higher crime rates would inevitably compound existing problems.
The objector noted that alcohol consumption reduces inhibitions and that placing a seven-day weekly alcohol supply centrally within a residential estate would encourage street drinking, confrontations, and public disorder occurring directly outside nearby residences.
A third objector highlighted concerns about drug trafficking occurring along Whitehawk Way and previous incidents involving violence at the centre.
In 2019, the council explored the possibility of acquiring the social centre for residential development purposes alongside new community facilities.
The Whitehawk Valley Social Centre subsequently reopened last year and currently accommodates various popular activities, including a boxing club and line dancing sessions.
The licensing application is slated for consideration by a panel comprising three councillors at a hearing commencing at 10am on Tuesday, September 22.
The proceeding is arranged to be broadcast via webcast.