By Richard Burdge

PLANS FOR patrons of a Perth nightclub to let off steam on fairground rides met with a less than enthusiastic response from the council’s licensing committee yesterday.

Citing fears over public safety and noise, the committee decided to refuse the application by M&L Funfairs, of Glasgow, to set up two 50-person rides in the car park of the Ice Factory on November 8.

The proposal was part of an event at the nightclub which is expected to attract up to 1000 people and attracted an objection from the police who felt that mixing alcohol and fairground rides could lead to problems.

“This type of event is likely to attract younger patrons who will undoubtedly consume a large quantity of alcohol,” Chief Inspector James Leslie said in a letter to the committee.

“Alcohol combined with fairground rides has the potential to lead to some rather sick individuals.”

Applicant Mitchell Taylor said the two rides he hoped to bring to Perth were waltzers and “the crazy frog.”

He said they had experience of operating rides at similar events and would not allow anyone who was intoxicated on them.

Councillor John Flynn said he felt alcohol and the rides was “a dangerous cocktail” and concern was expressed by members of the committee about the ease of evacuating people from the area in the event of a problem.

After a short recess to consider the matter the committee unanimously rejected the application.

*The committee also considered an application by Perth businessman Edward Gray to allow a variation of a street trader’s licence to allow him to operate a hot dog cart in the city centre.

Mr Gray said he hoped to operate the venture at fetes and other events but was also keen to use the mobile cart in central Perth. His intention was to operate between 10am to 7pm, he told the committee, and would move on every hour.

Such ventures are excluded from central Perth and members of the committee voiced fears about setting a precedent if they grant permission in this instance.

Councillor Dennis Melloy was a lone voice of support describing the concept as “innovative” and said their rules were not set in stone.

He recommended approval saying it sent out “the right message for Perth” but the four other members voted for refusal.

*Among the other matters considered at the meeting was a renewal of a private hire operator’s licence for James Turriff, of A&B Taxis in Perth.

The police pointed out that Mr Turriff had failed to declare an offence having been fined £200 and had five penalty points endorsed on his driving licence for driving at 91mph in a 70mph limit.

Mr Turriff said it was an “oversight” in not mentioning the conviction as he knew the licensing authorities were aware of the matter.

He accepted there was no excuse for his speeding offence, but his taxi was empty at the time and it was his first conviction in the line of duty in 27 years as a taxi driver.

The committee granted the application on condition that Mr Turriff attend a relevant course.

*A Crieff takeaway was granted extended hours in line with a nearby similar business.

Imran’s Tandoori, West High Street, can now operate until midnight on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 12.30am on Thursdays and 1am on Friday and Saturday.

The committee heard that no residents had objected to the extension.