A young hairdresser has been told his charity fundraiser can go ahead despite a rumpus over a door at the venue.
Rhys Davidson has organised a fashion show that will take place in Newport’s Blyth Hall on Saturday June 1 in support of charities Be Child Cancer Aware and Lupus Awareness.
Margaret Sheridan, a childhood cancer awareness strategist with Be Child Cancer Aware, is co-organiser of the event, which was nearly scuppered because Fife Council has yet to soundproof Blyth Hall. In particular, a door needs replaced and the cost of the work has been estimated at £20,000.
Fife licensing board this week decided to grant a licence for the event, following a debate over the state of the building.
After the hearing in Kirkcaldy, Mr Davidson (22) said: “I’m totally relieved. It’s a local hall and it’s good that was granted because it’s all we have, really, in Newport, Tayport and the surrounding areas.
“I wanted to put on something a bit different for people and a lot of businesses are taking part in this. Everyone has been helping out.”
The event will take place between 7.30pm and 11.30pm, with tickets available from Mr Davidson’s salon in Castle Street, Tayport.
Mr Davidson, who lives in Dundee, said he had personal reasons for supporting Lupus Awareness.
He added: “My mum was a hairdresser and she had to give up her salon due to lupus.”
Councillors on the licensing board were told an acoustic survey and feasibility study had to be carried out for Blyth Hall.
Jim Young said: “We don’t need an acoustic survey to determine that the fire door is a problem. If you’re outside and the door is closed, you can actually hear people having a conversation in there, never mind if they were playing music.
“That door has been a problem for a long time and I don’t see how the price of replacing that door is £20,000.”
Licensing board chairman Bob Young said he had his house double-glazed for a fraction of the estimated cost of the door.
He added: “Because it is the only facility in the area, I’m looking to move and say we grant this, but grant on the basis that we get a report here at the next meeting to say exactly what’s happening with that building.
“I don’t see why people putting in these applications should be punished for something we’re responsible for.”