An application to extend the opening hours of Dundee’s biggest nightclub has been adjourned to the next meeting of the city council’s licensing board after members requested more information.
Fat Sam’s in Ward Road had applied to the council for permission to keep its doors open until 4.30am on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights two hours extra each night.
Licensee Colin Rattray hopes to be able to sell alcohol on the premises right up until closing time but said a new food service would help cut out the effects of binge drinking.
The club plans to start serving bar meals and operate a restaurant in the Fat Sams Live music area, which would also be used for screening films and showing live sporting events.
Mr Rattray, the club’s general manager, said in a letter to Dundee’s licensing board the changes would be beneficial and in accordance with the city’s stated objectives for licensed premises.
He said he believed there was a desire for young people to stay out later on some nights of the week and submitted photographs of the nearby late licensed G Casino, showing people queuing outside up to 3am.
Mr Rattray said, “My hope is that by staying open later and providing a relaxed atmosphere where food is available we will reduce instances of binge drinking, which will protect and improve public health.
“People will leave the premises less intoxicated, which will help prevent public nuisance and at the same time reduce crime and disorder as well as increase public safety.”
However when the application came before the board on Thursday, convener Rod Wallace requested the matter be adjourned pending a re-submission by Fat Sam’s giving clearer information on how they plan a “scaled” emptying of the premises during the extended hours.
“We didn’t have any information on how they envisaged 3000 people leaving the premises at 4.30am,” Councillor Wallace said.
“However their agent Mr McIvor said it would be a scaled closure and we asked that he provide more detailed information when they re-submit their application.”
Police Chief Inspector Dave Barclay had asked the licensing board to consider a number of issues when ruling on the application including the extra resources police would have to commit to the area.
He said, “Late opening hours for a night club means the later availability of alcohol with the potential for an increase in crime and disorder due to this consumption.
“This is turn will mean that there will be more incidents which police officers will need to attend beyond 4.30am.
“This will also extend the period which communities will have to tolerate disruption to their lives.”