Club's extra hours refused amid parking ticket row
GoogleA nightclub's bid to extend its opening hours has been refused as police opposed the plans, citing the owner's "contempt for the law" after he racked up 175 parking tickets.
James McDonald had applied to Durham County Council to increase the opening hours of K2 and The Union in Consett from 02:00 to 03:30.
The local authority's licensing committee refused the application, as opposition from the police also included concerns over increased anti-social behaviour.
Mr McDonald said the decision was disappointing, but he still planned to turn The Union into a karaoke bar and reopen K2 as a nightclub next year.
He previously said the parking tickets were not related to his business and were to do with a long-standing dispute near his home.
Durham Police said the Front Street venue's licence was currently suspended as licence fees had not been paid, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The latest refusal comes after the council turned down a similar application from the venue in October 2024.
'Won't be disheartened'
In a report to the Reform-led council, Sgt Caroline Dickenson claimed Mr McDonald had shown "a flagrant disregard" to parking laws and business rate payments, which had cost the local authority "considerable time and money" to chase.
"I would argue that someone who shows such contempt for the law cannot be relied upon to uphold it in their premises, and these findings raise serious doubts as to whether he should have a premises licence, never mind extra hours," she added.
The force also said Mr McDonald, who also runs Chaplains and Calamity's in the town, would be "stretched" by managing all three businesses at the same time.
Mr McDonald previously said he only owed outstanding rates for K2 and The Union and "that's due to the lack of trade because of the early closing".
Speaking after the hearing, he said: "We are disappointed with the outcome and the decision of the council hearing. We have taken on board the comments of the council committee and Durham Constabulary and will make any changes or improvements accordingly.
"We also won't be disheartened and still plan to reopen the venue with a sight to turn The Union into a designated karaoke bar for the town, even with the slightly earlier licensing time of 02:00 in early 2026, with the hope to look to reopen K2 as a nightclub later in the year."
