A SNOOKER club in Ringwood is facing an uncertain future as police apply to have its licence reviewed after incidents involving serious violence and disorder.

Legends Cue and Sports Club in the Market Place currently has a late night licence, but fears have been raised following |incidents of fighting, threatening behaviour and swearing near the premises in the early hours of the morning.

Insp James Douglas of Hampshire told the Journal that police officers have been assaulted on “numerous occasions” when called to deal with “alcohol-fuelled” confrontations.

And he said the club’s extended licensing hours have resulted in |officers who are on standby to cover the county as a whole needing to make regular weekend visits to the Market Place, which, he termed, a “disproportionate deployment of police resources.”

Insp Douglas said: “Legends Snooker Club is the only premises to have a late licence in Ringwood and the surrounding area, and it has become an attraction for late night drinkers who use the facility to maximise their alcoholic intake before continuing their evening |outside in the market square.

“Over the past few years, Legends has increasingly been the focus of complaints about excess noise, fighting in the streets, damaged shop windows, litter and urinating in public. I have had officers assaulted on numerous occasions.” He said the club can no longer be considered “fit for purpose” in |providing a snooker-playing |environment, and has become a “local nightclub in every way.”

He said the situation has had a significant and negative impact on the community and there is an expectation that a forthcoming review of the licence will impose sanctions “with minimum delay to restore order to Ringwood town centre.”

Town councillor Barbara Woodifield said she has received persistent complaints from |

residents regarding an “unacceptable level of noise, public disorder and nuisance.”

The town council is recommending the current licence be revoked.

Legends is owned by pool player Nicky Binden, who took over the former Ringwood Snooker Club in 2002.

In 2010, the club was refurbished to include a dedicated dance floor and stage area to give a more “nightclub” atmosphere for the weekends, when it closes at 12.30am.

New Forest District Council |confirmed the 28-day consultation period on the licence review |application ended on March 11.

A date for a hearing is to be set and will determine the outcome of the licence review.

Ms Binden, said: “I have owned the bar for nearly nine years now and take my licence very seriously. I have co-operated fully with my neighbours, the police and |representatives from Environmental Health to address any concerns about noise and antisocial |behaviour.

“I am following my licensing objectives and I have CCTV to prove this.

“I employ Verwood company BKS Securities who work on the door and along the alley next to the club, to stop any rowdy behaviour.

“There is no way any one of our members would be allowed to leave the premises with a glass or bottle in their hand, so to suggest that all the broken glass on the street is linked to my premises is a little unfair.

“I close the smoking shelter at midnight to stop outside noise and no one is allowed into my club drunk. We ask anyone who we feel has had enough to drink to leave the premises and we operate a limit on our spirit shots to discourage binge-drinking.

“The police have been in my club carrying out licensing checks almost every week since October last year and have found no breaches.

“I have worked so hard to alleviate the concerns of my neighbours, the police and Environmental Health, but once people leave the club, what can I do?”

She added: “Crime and disorder is an issue in all licensed premises and I feel Legends is being blamed because I open later.”