The new owner of a countryside shooting range has reassured local councillors that strict safeguards will remain in place following concerns over plans to serve alcohol at the venue.
Edgehill Shooting Ground, in Warmington, Warwickshire, is due to be taken over by Nicholas Hollick, who has operated an alcohol licence at Honesberie Shooting School, Warwickshire, for the past 14 years.
Mr Hollick is in the final stages of acquiring the lease at Edgehill and plans to expand the venue’s hospitality offering by serving alcohol to customers once they have finished shooting, as well as opening the site for non-shooting events.
Concerns were raised during a licensing panel meeting by Stratford-on-Avon district councillor Malcolm Littlewood, councillor for Tysoe, who stated that “alcohol and firearms do not mix”. The concerns were supported by councillor Natalie Gist, portfolio holder for law and governance.
Responding to the concerns, Mr Hollick outlined the venue’s safety procedures and booking controls, including the use of the Claymate management system for all shooting activities, including customers using their own firearms certificates.
He explained that any customer entering the clubhouse and ordering alcohol would first be asked whether they intended to continue shooting, with no shooting permitted after consuming alcohol.
“No one would be served alcohol before it has been confirmed that they have finished shooting for the day,” said Mr Hollick.
“Obviously we’re not just having a party dancing around with shotguns. Every single customer who comes for a drink, if they look under 25 they will get challenged.”
The plans reflect a wider trend within the shooting industry of grounds expanding hospitality and events offerings alongside traditional shooting activities.