A NEW university teaching space was handed a licence to serve alcohol despite resident concerns over disorder and fears it would become a student bar.

The landmark art deco building in Castle Street has been refurbished by the University of Worcester and provides teaching and learning space as well as a site for its dance and drama students to put on shows.

The university wanted an alcohol licence so it could hand out alcohol during exhibitions and performances.

Neighbours said handing the university an alcohol licence would be a bad idea and whilst it had promised to only serve and not sell alcohol, it gave them an opportunity to in the future.

At a meeting of the city council's licensing subcommittee on Friday (December 14), neighbour Jean Lowth said the university's intentions meant nothing and she believed the "monkey maker" of selling alcohol would eventually be realised.

She said: "I cannot believe that at some point in the future that it won't be taken advantage of. There will be noise, there will be noise. It is going to happen."

Mrs Lowth said she had only been told about the application by word of mouth and could not find a licensing notice on the building.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services, which handles licensing on behalf of the city council, said procedure had been followed correctly by the university.

Neighbour Steve Bennett said the licensing committee should look at what could happen to the Art House in the future not just what it intends to do now.

He said: "The building was originally designed as a car showroom and now we are possibly turning it into a nightclub.

"I want you to consider what 'could be' rather than what the university's assurances are."

Tom Taylor, the university's assistant director of security, said the Art House would be used primarily for teaching and the occasional exhibition and performance throughout the year.

Mr Taylor said he would not allow licence conditions to be broken or allow for anything to jeopardise any of the other university's licences.

He said the university was a responsible licensee and had only had to eject one person at the University Arena during a Worcester Wolves basketball game in four years.

Wendy Trounce said she wanted some clarity from the university.

She said: "I really do hope that you are going to do your very best to ensure all of the residents around the building are going to be satisfied with how the Art House is run.

"It is very much in your hands."