We are delighted to confirm that the Institute now has a year-round premises licence to serve alcohol.
All previous events with a bar involved applying for individual events licences. We are now able to run an event with a bar at any time.
Ian Thomas, treasurer of the charity running the Institute stated: “There were some initial concerns from local residents that the bar would be open seven days a week, open till midnight, but that has never been our intention. We simply want a full licence so that we do not have to apply for a licence every time we hold an event. This is particularly helpful when we are asked at short notice to host an event, such as funerals. We were also limited in the number of temporary event notices we could have in one year. This new licence lifts that restriction. I am pleased to confirm that we have listened to people’s concerns, made some adjustments to our application, and all objections have now been withdrawn. Not only does this licence make it easier for us to host events, it will also provide much needed revenue to continue with the refurbishment of this much-loved building and to cover many of the day-to-day running costs”.
The licence takes effect immediately, so we are now in a position to resume taking bookings. To book the venue, please send a text to 07903 709413 and we will get back to you to discuss your proposals.
The Institute first opened its doors almost one hundred years ago, funded by local miners to provide social, educational and welfare facilities for the local community, and we are proud to be reviving their dream.
Ron Stoate, chair of the charity, himself a former miner, stated : “We have become a popular venue for family events for the people of the village. We aim to provide a facility for events that may be too large for other venues in the village to host, and to put on high quality shows of our own.”
Since opening earlier this year we have put on several successful events including An Evening with Ricky Tomlinson, The James Oliver Band (featuring Norman Watt Roy, Bassist for Ian Dury), comedian Mike Doyle and we have hosted a northern soul night in association with Blackwood Soul Club.
There have been several high profile talks, including world renowned forensic ecologist Patricia Wiltshire. We have hosted professional wrestling, weddings, birthdays and funerals. The venue is very busy in the evenings, with every weekday booked out for things such as art clubs, dance classes and veterans social gatherings.
Our first major event to take advantage of the new licence will be singer Jamie Pugh (Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist) with Mynyddislwyn Ladies Choir on 1st August. Tickets can be booked by clicking the following link An Evening of Music from the West End and Beyond with Jamie Pugh Tickets, Saturday 1 August • 7:30 PM – 11 PM | Eventbrite
