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A DECISION HAS BEEN DEFERRED TO GIVE THE OWNERS THE CHANCE TO COMPLETE THE WORK 11:26, 02 Jun 2025 A decision over whether a late-night venue’s expansion plans can proceed has been delayed
by three months after the fire service raised safety concerns. Windsor Complex in Bearwood had applied to Sandwell Council for permission to change its licence as part of plans to open new
snooker and pool rooms and a function room. Sandwell Council’s licensing committee met on May 19 following the region’s fire service's objection and agreed to defer a decision for three
months to allow the Windsor Complex owners to carry out any remaining work to satisfy the fire service and building regulations. The application for the Windsor Complex asks for permission
to add indoor sporting events to its licence and extend the area where alcohol can be sold to the whole venue—including the upper floors, where a new function room, snooker, and pool room
would be added. West Midlands Fire Service objected to the move over public safety concerns after it said the Bearwood Road venue had failed to provide it with proof it had made changes
agreed when the licence was changed nearly a year ago. READ MORE: SANDWELL COUNCILLORS APPROVE £600 PAY RISE Article continues below READ MORE: EMPTY VANDALISED CHURCH COULD BECOME NEW
MARTIAL ARTS GYM READ MORE: WOLVERHAMPTON COUNCIL AWARDS £4.6M CONTRACT TO DEVELOPER FOR MUCH-DELAYED HOMES PLAN The fire service said the venue had agreed to show evidence that automatic
fire alarms had been extended to a ‘void’ above its bowling alley within two months but had not done so. This was “despite chasing [it] on several occasions,” the fire service said. The
agreement also stated the venue would use its newly extended opening hours until the fire service had been notified. The agreement signed in May 2024 by the venue also said the upper floors
of the venue would not be used until the “building [had] been completed in accordance with a suitable building regulations application” which the fire service said it had also not received
any proof. The application read with the same statement used in 2024: “The premises has always had a positive impact on the community, which includes employees, suppliers, customers, the
environment, and the people in the local area. It will always show due diligence to the licensing objectives and ensure it is run in an efficient and safe manner.” The Windsor Complex was
handed a late-night licence by Sandwell Council last year despite protests from neighbours. Article continues below The venue, home to an Indian grill, bowling alley and arcade, was given
permission to open until 3.30am despite several neighbours saying their lives had been plagued by loud noise and drunk and rowdy behaviour coming from the Bearwood venue. The objectors to
the plans have listed a catalogue of concerns ranging from anti-social behaviour to fly-tipping, broken glass, urinating in streets and constant loud music. The objections, which were
published in redacted form by Sandwell Council ahead of the meeting, said the late-night hours were “unnecessary.”