The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

A rock venue big enough for 2,000 people has won council backing despite protests by locals who fear problems with noise and anti-social behaviour.

City councillors granted a provisional public entertainment licence for the Newcastle Academy, which will stage rock and pop concerts at the Gala bingo hall in Westgate Road once the bingo club moves to Byker.

The decision will allow the operators, the Academy Music Group - which has venues in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool and Bristol - to open until 2am Sunday to Thursday, 4am Friday and Saturday.

Members of the regulatory committee gave the go-ahead after they were told the building will be soundproofed, stewards will control crowds and divert them away from the residential area as they leave, and there will be no cheap drink promotions.

There was also an undertaking that the management will work with local people to set up a residents' forum.

Initially the application was to stay open until 4am all week, except Sundays, but the hours were reduced to 2am Monday to Thursday following negotiations with residents.

After the hearing, representatives of the nearby Crown Residents' Association, who had objected with the support of their local councillors, expressed disappointment.

They say licensed premises in the area have reached saturation point.

Residents' chairman Paul Whitlock said: "We're concerned at the precedent set by allowing 4am opening.

"In the past five years the number of bars has increased at an alarming rate. However well managed, there'll inevitably be problems. I don't see how this decision fits in with the council's licensing policy."

Steve Forster, operations director of the Academy group, said: "We're very pleased at the decision but we're also mindful of residents' concerns. Our promises are not empty."

The company intends to spend £3m to £4m refurbishing the premises and the aim is to open by the end of the year.

There will be a main stage with a standing area and gallery seating for a total of 1,570 people and a smaller performance area with room for 430 people.

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BEST NEWS OF THE YEAR

marvel arse!

I hate that chain.

Re: The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

Old news Spence, Dan revealed the scoop ages ago.

Re: The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

Re: Re: The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

:spangled:

It was only in the planning stage then you gonk!!!! It was only this week that it was granted a provisional public entertainment licence, that whys this story was in last nights Chron.

Re: Re: Re: The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

Disco_Danny_Habit is a reliable soure. I trusted his info.

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Newcastle Carling Academy IS COMING!!!!

Never take anything for granted with Newcastle City Council

Is there many residents living round there

I dont know that area of town that well.

Good move for Newcastle!! fianly a place other than the cluny for credible bands.

That's really good news.

Might start to get the kind of vibe going that the riverside used to have, that'd be class!

since the mayfair shut, newcastle aint really had a good midsized venue (uni's are ok i guess)

so im pleased

This ain't a midsized venue?

It will be a good venue for live bands, will impact mainly on the uni's as funded by SJM and Metropolis (2 biggest names in Live Bands). They will put everything through the academy (as they did in other cities), so come Sept onwards no more great acts at the uni's (with cheap beer..)

yes it is!

open to interpretation, but, small sized - up to 900 ish / large sized - the arena

i sense some bitterness in your post

the unis are shit venues. The bars are too small, the sound is TERRIBLE. the sound at carling academys is always spot on..

Every time I've been to a gig at the uni's they put the drinks up anyway, so it's not cheap drink. Which is a bit of a con really, seeing as all the drink is subsidised

yeah i know it is, buts its only recently that foundations had live bands on

It's been finalised!!! WOOHOO

Academy Music Group purchase new venue in North East

Carling Academy Newcastle

Academy Music Group Limited (AMG) is delighted to announce the acquisition of its tenth live music venue and further expansion of the successful Academy brand to Newcastle. AMG has concluded negotiations and purchased the Gala Bingo Hall on Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1SW, with plans to fully refurbish the venue and open as Carling Academy Newcastle from late October 2005. The extensive refurbishment programme to create the new Academy will commence from May 2005, headed by AMG’s Group Property Manager Archie McIntosh and local architects, Blueprint Interior Design. Plans for the venue include a main room capacity of up to 2,000 and a separate ‘Academy 2’ space for 400. Operationally, AMG proposes to emulate the success of its other regional venues with its multiple, production complete, performance areas. Historically, the North East has created a wealth of diverse musical talent and the City Centre site already has a musical heritage. Originally built as a Picture House (The New Westgate) in 1927, it was also once the Majestic Ballroom, famed for a performance by The Beatles in 1963. More information, including venue plans will be announced in due course.

http://www.newcastle-academy.co.uk

As wank as it is that they only sell Carling it'll deff be a good move for the clubbing scene in Newcastle ......

Have played The Bristol Carling Academy and am playing Brixton Academy in June and I have to say all the events at the Academys GO REET OFF

£2.50 a pint last night @ the uni. Shit beer too.