Plans approved for Roxy Ball Room gaming bar for Stonebow House

Roxy Ball Room, a place where you can book games such as bowling, billiards and table tennis, has venues in Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester and is soon to open at Stonebow House in York.

At a licensing hearing on September 11 at York City Council offices, members of the public raised concerns about staff training, noise and left-out bins attracting pests.

However, representatives from management company Roxy Leisure, CEO Matt Jones and managing director Ben Warren, addressed the concerns and set a number of conditions to satisfy all parties.

Mr Jones said: “The resident who operated before us was a nightclub.

“Nightclubs operate differently than we do.

“They tend to provide people with as much alcohol as possible.”

Stonebow House, York

He added: “I can assure you we are much better operators and have much better management teams.

“We take care.”

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Residents near where the bar will be built have raised concerns about drunk people in the area, anti-social behavior and the fact that there will be more noise and nuisance.

But Mr Warren said: “We go places for a reason,” adding: “Overwhelmingly, people come here to play [and not drink].”

Julia Weston, a resident of St Saviourgate, said on behalf of 16 other residents on the street opposite Stonegate House: “St. Saviourgate was built in the early 18th century.

“My house was built in 1730 and is a listed building.

“It’s a step down from Castle Howard.

“You’re not allowed to touch anything.

“You can’t put up secondary glazing, you can’t insulate anything, you literally can’t touch the fabric of the house.

“And that means we have single glazed sash windows and any noise outside the house is carried inside.

“So if a taxi stops in front of our house and the driver is on the phone, we can fully hear the conversation.”

This is what the interior of The Roxy should look like. Image: Planning documents

Martina Weitsch, deputy leader of the York Green Party, said: “We don’t want to come across as an anti-fun party.

“We think it’s important to have fun, have a party and enjoy life.

“But there is a time and a place for this and consideration must be given to the impact it has on the people who live nearby.

“Roxy Leisure markets itself as ‘bringing the playground to the bar’ and as ‘the home of booze and balls’.”

She added: “The slogan I think conveys a drinking culture and I think it has a slightly aggressive undertone.

“I don’t think the double meaning of the balls in the slogan is entirely coincidental.”

The application was approved with conditions including a maximum capacity of 400 people, collection of bottles and glasses only between 8am and 8pm and the details of the service manager and area manager being passed on to surrounding residents every six months.

Roxy Leisure has been asked to maintain its commitment to residents.