Football social club loses its licence

Oct 19 2011 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

CAMBUSLANG Rangers’ social club has had its licence to sell alcohol suspended for 30 days by South Lanarkshire Council’s licensing committee.

The Reformer understands that the problems at Sweepers were nothing to do with the football club, whose Somervell Park stadium incorporates the venue.

Sweepers is a privately run business, outside of the football club, who use the changing rooms and meeting room facilities.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesperson confirmed: “At its meeting held on 6 October 2011 South Lanarkshire Licensing Division No. 4 (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) agreed to suspend the premises licence for Sweepers, 34 Somervell Street, Cambuslang for 30 days with immediate effect. The ground for review was relevant to the preventing crime and disorder licensing objective.”

A source told the Reformer: “The licence at Sweepers has been suspended for 30 days.

“There were too many incidents being reported to police after social functions which were being held there – that were nothing to do with the football club – which have led to this happening.

“It seems a bit harsh as there’s never really been any problems there before, and it seems the licensing committee have come down pretty hard on Sweepers for a first offence.

“People were getting into bother coming from that end of the Main Street, and they were the ones causing the bother.

“I think they’re going to be installing CCTV there in future.”

Lang chairman Billy Miller said: “As far as I know, this situation is nothing to do with Cambuslang Rangers.

“We understand that we can still use the facilities as normal, and the meeting room will be available if we need to use it.

“It’s business as usual as far as Cambuslang Rangers are concerned.”

The Reformer tried to contact Sweepers owner Tom Brown, but he was unavailable for comment.