A town centre bar will be allowed to stay open until the early hours after councillors approved a controversial licence application following an emotional hearing.
Erewash Borough Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Panel met on Thursday (19 March) to consider an application to extend the opening hours of the Market Inn and Shakers Bar in Ilkeston.
The application allows the venue to remain open until 2:30am on Fridays and Saturdays, with alcohol served until 2:00am, alongside extended hours for bank holidays and special events.
Emotional objection from victim’s mother
During the hearing, Loraine Wilson told councillors her son, Sam Wilson, was killed on 16 December 2023 shortly after leaving the venue.
She said CCTV from that night showed the individual responsible had been drinking at the premises, taken drugs in the toilets, and been involved in an altercation before leaving.
She told the panel the incident raised “very serious concerns” about what was happening inside the venue and how situations were being managed.
Ms Wilson also pointed to a wider pattern of serious incidents linked to the premises, referencing the death of Liam Derrett, who died after an assault outside the venue following disorder in the area.
She said she believed extending the licence would not promote public safety, given the history of incidents.
Panel: decision must follow the law
In announcing the decision, the panel expressed “sincere sympathy” to the families and loved ones affected.
However, councillors said they were legally required to determine the application in line with the Licensing Act 2003, based on the evidence presented and whether the proposal would undermine licensing objectives such as public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.
Licence approved
After considering all evidence, the panel approved the variation.
In reaching its decision, councillors highlighted:
- No objections from responsible authorities, including police
- Additional conditions agreed with Derbyshire Police
- National licensing guidance
- The fact similar venues nearby already operate later hours
Warning over future issues
The panel also made clear that if problems arise in the future, the premises licence can be reviewed again.