Decision due on plans to extend hours and add rooftop terrace at Rawmarsh venue
Plans to extend the opening hours and add a rooftop terrace to a Rawmarsh bar are set to be decided by councillors.
Rotherham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on March 23 to consider an application to vary the premises licence at Wigtox Lounge, on South Street.
The proposals include starting alcohol sales and entertainment from 9am, extending last orders to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and closing at 1.30am on those days. The application would also remove a condition preventing entry after 11pm, allow use of a rooftop terrace, and bring a first-floor function room into use.
The venue currently operates as a lounge bar alongside a coffee shop, beauty services and an ice cream parlour.
The application has attracted strong interest, with 93 letters of support submitted alongside seven objections, as well as concerns from planning, public health and environmental health officers.
Documents submitted as part of the application hsow that planning officers raised concerns about compliance with existing planning conditions, including permitted opening hours.
Public health officials raised concerns about extending hours in a built-up residential area and the removal of the 11pm entry restriction, which they said could lead to larger crowds. They also noted the venue is next to a school, with earlier opening hours coinciding with school drop-off times.
Residents who objected described ongoing issues including late-night noise, antisocial behaviour and disruption. Some said they had experienced shouting, arguing and loud music late at night, while others raised concerns about parking, blocked access and the impact of the proposed rooftop terrace overlooking nearby homes.
However, 93 residents and customers have backed the plans, describing the venue as a positive addition to the area.
Several supporters said they had not experienced any noise or disturbance despite living nearby, with some adding they regularly walk past in the evenings and “hear no noise coming from the place”.
Others described the lounge as a community hub bringing together people of all ages, including families, older residents and those with disabilities. One said their autistic son finds the venue calming, while another said it provides a safe space for people struggling with isolation.
Supporters also pointed to its role in hosting events such as family celebrations and funeral gatherings, and said the proposed function room and rooftop terrace would expand opportunities for community use, particularly in the summer.
In support of the application, licence holder Helen Clayton said measures including screening and a pergola structure could reduce noise from the rooftop area by around 30 decibels.
The venue already operates under a noise management plan.
Councillors will decide whether the proposals meet licensing objectives, including preventing nuisance and ensuring public safety. A decision will be issued after the hearing.