A COMMUNITY group in East Ayrshire is fighting back over attempts to reduce the capacity of its venue.

East Ayrshire Council has received an application from Rankinston Community Association (RCA) for a three-year public entertainment licence for the Rankinston Community Centre.

RCA says it wants the licence so it can host events which are open to the public between 9am and 12.30am.

The group's application gives a proposed capacity of 120 people seated at tables, or 140 in cinema-style seating.

But EAC's building standards service raised concerns over the application, stating that the location of the community centre's fire exits meant the capacity for events should be reduced to 60 people.

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One of those points included reducing the capacity of the centre to 60 people.

A report said: "Currently the two fire exits are situated too close together to be designated as two separate escape routes, reducing the occupancy capacity of the building to 60.

"This is in accordance with the building standards technical handbooks.

"Clarification should be received from the fire authority on their stance regarding occupancy capacity."

But the RCA says that limiting the capacity of the venue to 60 people could have a major effect on the group's ability to host events.

The group also says that a fire risk assessment of the venue carried out in 2021 identified no issue with the 120/140 capacity..

Responding to the EAC report, an association spokesperson said: “Rankinston Community Centre provides a range of amenities and services for the local community, including space for social gatherings, events, meetings and activities.

“It offers recreational facilities for local school and youth clubs.

“Additionally, the centre serves as a venue for hosting various events and activities for both the local school and wider community, fostering community spirit and cohesion, providing community engagement opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

“We applied for a three-year PEL following the guidance provided by Vibrant Communities and East Ayrshire Council staff.

“Our community centre has consistently operated with a capacity of 140 cinema seating and a 120 table set up, which we believe adequately serves the community needs.

“The association believes that, since the Fire Risk Assessment conducted by an EAC health and safety adviser in 2021, no alterations have been made to the building.

“Therefore, we believe it should still be considered safe for up to 140 people, as indicated in the fire risk assessment."

The group also says it has a party scheduled for the venue on Saturday, May 18, which was booked and paid for before the council's concerns over the centre's capacity were raised.

“At no point were we informed of the capacity restrictions until recently."

The group's licence application will be considered at a meeting of EAC's local government licensing panel on Thursday, April 25.