A CRICKET club has been granted an alcohol licence at the second time of asking after an “administrative error” forced it to plead its case twice.

Riding Mill Cricket Club faced opposition to its bid to sell alcohol seven days a week after concerns were raised about the possibility of “noise, litter and drunken behaviour” from fans and players.

But bosses at Northumberland County County Council (NCC) have now ruled that booze sales can go ahead.

“We’re over the moon with the decision,” said Peter Nisch, the club’s chairman.

“[The licence] will help the club grow and go from strength to strength.

“We took serious consideration of the objections raised and we will do our best to prevent any disruption.”

According to a report for county councillors, bosses at the club had asked for permission to sell alcohol between:

Noon – 11pm, Monday – Thursday

Noon – 11.30pm on Fridays

11am – 11.30pm on Saturdays

11am – 10.30pm on Sunday

The decision to grant permission by NCC’s Licensing Hearing included a caveat that the premises must close within 30 minutes of alcohol sales ending on any given day.

The panel first heard the club’s case to be granted a licence in September, when families living nearby complained granting a licence would “exacerbate” problems already experienced as a result of excessive drinking during or after matches.

A second hearing was called after what bosses at NCC called a “genuine administrative error” so that “all objections will be taken into consideration”.

At this, Osbit, an engineering firm based near the cricket club, claimed the hours applied for were “excessive” and raised fears of “bad behaviour” from visiting players.

Bosses at the club insisted a formal licence would make it easier for them to regulate the behaviour of visitors, adding that for the foreseeable future the bar was likely to consist of little more than “a fridge, possibly two”.