Roxy Leisure faces opposition over Stonebow House’s proposals

York City Council’s licensing committee will decide on a premises license application from Roxy Leisure Ltd at its meeting on Monday.

If approved, the Roxy Ball Room would offer games such as billiards and beer pong, as well as a bar and kitchen.

However, the council has received 38 letters of objection, including one from York Central Labor MP Rachel Maskell.

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Opponents of the proposal say such a facility on the vacant ground floor would lead to crime, disorder, public noise and nuisance in an area already teeming with bars and pubs.

They also said it contradicted the council’s My City Vision document, which aims to make York a more family-friendly destination.

Among them, the St Saviourgate Residents’ Association said: “This venue will be a magnet for deer and hens, the very drunk groups that cost the police dearly and that York is trying to discourage.”

A St Saviourgate resident said the area was already a “no-go zone” with people defecating in doorways and leaving vomit and broken bottles on the pavements.

An Aldwark resident said his property had already been used as a toilet for vomiting and sex.

This is a nature reserve and “our peace is being destroyed,” said another.

And another Aldwark resident said: “The ballroom would add to York’s poor reputation as a destination for stag and hen parties.”

Additionally, the secretary of the York Unitarians said it was unsuitable near a place of worship.

“The site will become a new source of public disorder, noise, litter, fighting and general anti-social behavior,” they told the council.

However, a report prepared by licensing staff for the meeting said the “operational plan” submitted by the applicant would meet licensing requirements if a number of conditions were met.

This followed revisions at the behest of police and council officials.

It said: “The premises must not be operated as a bar, vertical drinking establishment or nightclub and any licensed activity authorized by this license must only be ancillary to the primary function as a competitive social gathering venue, using at least 50% of the floor space. “dedicated to gaming areas.”

In addition, the venue must be connected to other venues via radio link, join Pub Watch, install CCTV, record incidents of crime and disorder, serve food only until 10pm, have a Challenge 25 proof of age policy and allow entry of minors do not allow 18s.

When Roxy Leisure announced its plans in July, commercial director Joel Mitchell said: “York is a vibrant city with a diverse range of hospitality and leisure businesses. The license application is the final step for us to hopefully open an arcade in the city and bring our unique offering of competitive social games with us.”