Rage room alcohol bid granted despite police fears
Rage It Out/LDRSAn axe-throwing and rage room venue's bid to serve alcohol has been approved, despite concerns from the police.
Customers visiting Rage It Out in Consett will be able to drink at the Queen Street site before and after sessions, after Durham County Council approved a licence application.
But the application faced opposition from Durham Police, which warned customers drinking alcohol before or after sessions could lead to "reckless or unsafe behaviour".
No alcohol will be permitted in the axe-throwing or rage room activity areas.
Sgt Caroline Dickenson said: "Alcohol consumption, even at moderate levels, reduces, reduces inhibition, impairs judgement, slows reaction time, and increases impulsivity.
"When combined with a weapon-based activity and a structured aggressive activity, there is the potential for the likelihood of reckless or unsafe behaviour, escalation of disputes between participants, misuse of equipment and the potential of disorder within or outside the premises."
Yet the council's licensing committee was told several safety measures had been introduced following conversations with the police ahead of the hearing, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
'Controlled access'
Speaking on behalf of Rage It Out, Scott Wilson said the venue had been open for a month without any issues.
"The applicant complied with safety requests, including fitting locks, at significant expensive, demonstrating the responsible and cooperative approach," he said.
Durham Police also objected to the sale of alcohol following axe-throwing or rage room activities, but Wilson said it was "no different from customers leaving the premises and drinking elsewhere".
Intoxicated customers are not allowed into the venue.
"This is not an uncontrolled or disorderly environment," Wilson said.
"It is a supervised, rule-based venue with staff oversight, separation of areas, controlled access to equipment and a revised alcohol policy that prohibits drinking during participation."