Sandwell venue facing licensing hearing over concerns from fire service
A late-night venue will face a council licensing hearing over plans to extend the business after safety concerns were raised by the fire service.
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Windsor Complex in Bearwood has applied to Sandwell Council for permission to change its licence as part of plans to open new snooker, pool, and function rooms.
However, West Midlands Fire Service has objected to the move over public safety concerns after it said the Bearwood Road venue failed to provide proof it had made the changes agreed upon when the licence was changed nearly a year ago.
The application for the Windsor Complex asks for permission to add indoor sporting events to its licence and extend the area where alcohol can be sold to the whole venue, including the upper floors, where a new function room, snooker, and pool room would be added.
The fire service said the venue had agreed to show evidence that automatic fire alarms had been extended to a ‘void’ above its bowling alley within two months, but had not done so. This was “despite chasing [it] on several occasions,” the fire service said. The agreement also stated the venue would use its newly extended opening hours until the fire service had been notified.
The agreement signed in May 2024 by the venue also said the upper floors of the venue would not be used until the “building [had] been completed in accordance with a suitable building regulations application”, which the fire service said it had also not received any proof.
A hearing will be held by Sandwell Council’s licensing committee in Oldbury on May 19 following the objection from the region’s fire service.
The application read with the same statement used in 2024: “The premises has always had a positive impact on the community, which includes employees, suppliers, customers, the environment, and the people in the local area. It will always show due diligence to the licensing objectives and ensure it is run in an efficient and safe manner.”
The Windsor Complex was handed a late-night licence by Sandwell Council last year despite protests from neighbours.
The venue, home to an Indian grill, bowling alley and arcade, was given permission to open now until 3.30am despite several neighbours saying their lives had been plagued by loud noise and drunk and rowdy behaviour coming from the Bearwood venue.
A number of residents in adjoining Dunsford Road said the problems they faced would only be made worse by the venue opening until the early hours.
The objectors to the plans have listed a catalogue of concerns ranging from anti-social behaviour to fly-tipping, broken glass, urinating in streets and constant loud music.
Approving the application in June last year, the council said that all under-18s using the venue would have to be accompanied by an adult and would also have to leave by 10pm. Alcohol could be served until 3am with the venue then closing half an hour later.
The venue must also employ bouncers from 9pm every day.
The objections, which were published in redacted form by Sandwell Council ahead of the meeting, said the late-night hours were “unnecessary.”
