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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
George Morgan

Swimming baths wants booze licence after avoiding demolition

A Wirral swimming baths once threatened with demolition is planning to run film clubs, a food fair and more.

Byrne Avenue Baths, in Rock Ferry, was at risk of being demolished after closing unexpectedly in 2009.

But since then the Byrne Avenue Trust has been set up, with the baths being transferred to it as a community asset.

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After a huge amount of work and a marathon campaign, the baths reopened last September to the delight of those watching the live stream of the official unveiling.

One of the viewers, Kelly Povall, said: "Used to love Byrne Avenue Baths as a kid, can't wait for it to fully reopen as a swimming pool so I can take my little girl."

There are now big plans for its future, with the trust applying for an alcohol licence to run events at the Rock Ferry site.

Ben Harrison, chair of the Byrne Avenue Trust, said: “[We] have applied for a premises licence in order to put on a range of community activities and fundraising events.

“As well as allowing films to be shown as part of two film clubs, the licence will also allow live and recorded music to be played at fitness classes, events and parties.”

Mr Harrison said alcohol was part of the trust’s application.

He added: “The final part of the licence will enable the trust to serve alcohol at private functions, fundraising activities such as a local food fair and ticketed events such as our planned Murder Mystery night.

“As an independent sports and community centre these events will help to cover the running costs of the baths and [subsidise] other community activities.”

The trust’s application will be heard by Wirral Council’s licensing panel at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion at 11am on Thursday morning.

Byrne Avenue Trust wants to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from Sunday to Thursday between midday and 10pm, and from midday until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

A licence to show films, host indoor sporting events such as boxing and wrestling, and play music is also being applied for, with the same hours requested.

Thursday’s panel will consider the application, as well as a petition signed by 35 residents which raises concerns about anti-social behaviour and public nuisance that may be caused by customers of the premises, as well as parking issues.

Before the item on Byrne Avenue Baths, at 9.30am, the panel will consider an application by Hidhayadul Nooria Mohamed Hasan for a licence to sell alcohol at Park View Convenience Store, on Lingham Lane in Moreton, Wirral.

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