Alcohol sales at stadium still off

ALCOHOL sales are to remain suspended at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium for the rest of the month.

The Stadium Management Company, which is in charge of the day-to-day running of the Keepmoat, say they have been working closely with police to implement a complete crackdown on anyone underage who attempts to purchase alcohol at matches.

The action was deemed necessary after the Keepmoat was caught serving booze to underage drinkers for the third time since its opening in January during a police test purchase operation at the end of September.

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Alcohol sales have been suspended at the Keepmoat since the Rovers match against Walsall on October 2.

While the measures are being put in place managers at the venue have decided to extend the voluntary suspension of alcohol sales in public areas.

The affected matches are Doncaster Rovers fixtures against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday October 23 and Leyton Orient on Sunday October 28 and the Doncaster Rovers Belles game against Birmingham City on Sunday October 21.

Gavin Baldwin, interim chief executive at the stadium, said: “It is crucial that at the stadium we have measures that are not only effective in stamping out this problem but make clear our complete intolerance of underage drinking and those who wish to break the law.

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“As a result we have taken the decision to extend our policy of temporarily suspending alcohol sales in all public areas at the next three matches at the stadium. This will allow us to continue working together with the police to ensure that the steps we are taking get rid of this problem once and for all.”

PC Mark Satterley of the Doncaster Police licensing team said: “We are working closely to support the Keep-moat Stadium management team to implement new working practices to tackle underage drinking at the venue.”

Mr Baldwin, a former top flight rugby player, was put in charge of the venue after the resignation of previous chief executive Andy Nicholl over the drinks row.