The town was so excited when after 2 long years the boards came off and The Queens Hall finally reopened! Only now though do we find out that many licensing restrictions made by the district council and police; mean that the all important locals cannot enjoy this beautiful venue to its fullest. One such restriction is that children are not allowed within the premises whilst Butlins holiday camp is having their adult weekends. This of course has caused much upset within the public (and criticism towards the owner); as why should we not be able to use the venue because of a few drunken idiots on holiday in our hometown. This also makes little sense when no other venue in MInehead has such restrictions. Before The Queens Halls reopening; and even now; all of the Butlins traffic will go up the town and flood The Hairy dog; Wetherspoons; The Queens head and everywhere else they can get a pint. I have personally taken my child into these venues on adult breaks and it is no different to what goes on in The Queens Hall.

Another restriction put onto them is with regards to their 'late license'. Now it is obvious from previous unsuccessful endeavours to keep The Queens Hall open; that it is a hard venue to sustain. So why; I ask would the district council make it even harder by putting such harsh restrictions upon the new owners. They should not be tarred by the same brush of previous owners i.e. Mambos. If you look at Mambos venues across the nation you will clearly see what kind of establishments they run. It is not one focused on community; good food and good music but that of boozing and irresponsible partying. Surely it is only right to give the current owners the benefit of the doubt and fair start to a business that they have dreamed of and worked hard to open over the past couple of years. The local community want this venue to stay open and so should the council; it should be nurtured and helped to blossom not whither under the harsh restrictions that have been put upon them. Now I do not say let them do what they want; but that they should be given the help that they will very much need to survive during the quiet winters of a seaside town. So please sign this petition and join the fight to keep our legendary Queens Hall thriving!