NEIGHBOURS have been tackling rugby fans head-on for the second time over plans for East London's Millwall RFC to extend its booze licence, after the club on the Isle of Dogs scored badly with neighbours two years ago when it was given its alcohol license

By Gemma Collins

NEIGHBOURS have been tackling rugby fans head-on for the second time over plans for East London's Millwall RFC to extend its booze license.

The rugby club on the Isle of Dogs scored badly with neighbours two years ago when it was given the go-ahead to sell alcohol in its clubhouse.

Councillors at Tower Hamlets at the time managed to cushion the blow by insisting liquor could only be served up to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 8pm on Sunday, that CCTV cameras would be installed and there would be staff on the doors at weekends.

But on Tuesday, some neighbours were calling 'foul play' again as the council's Licensing sub committee received an application to vary the club's license.

Rugby bosses were hoping to be allowed to sell booze and play music later into the night and scrap CCTV and door staff at the clubhouse under the abandoned railway arches by Island Gardens DLR station.

They insist it is "a family club", with any noise well contained being next to Millwall Park.

Police have had no problems since the booze license was granted, the committee heard.

But neighbours Ishila Bhattacharya and Indraneel Majumdar who live in Manchester Grove said in a letter to the council: "Being a family club, it is not clear why alcohol needs to be served or music played until 11pm, even on weekdays.

"We fear it is not a family milieu that is being encouraged through longer drinking and public entertainment hours."

The committee gave the green light for alcohol to be sold until 10.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm Sunday. But it rejected the club's request for CCTV cameras and security to be removed. Signs would also need to be displayed telling club members to leave the club quietly.