Stadium probe into alcohol sale

Managers say they have started a review of how they sell alcohol at the venue and council tax payers would not lose money on the facility.

Mayor Martin Winter on Friday ordered Paul Hart, the council's managing director, to launch a probe because he had serious concerns about how the stadium was being run.

The stadium is home to Doncaster Rovers and Doncaster Rugby League Club.

Andy Nicholl, chief executive of the Stadium Management Company, today said: "The SMC have now met with the council and have heard their immediate concerns regarding the SMC and the Keepmoat Stadium.

"This exchange of information is part of a process that has been ongoing for a number of months and will continue as planned. The issues discussed specifically relate to the work we are doing in conjunction with the police about the sale of alcohol in public areas."

One of the issues the council is believed to be concerned with is the sale of alcohol to under-aged drinkers during the Ronan Keating, McFly and Bryan Adams concerts earlier this month - the first gigs to be promoted by the SMC.

It is not the first time that drink sales at the stadium have been a matter of concern - staff were fined in March after a police test purchase operation found that under-18s were being served alcohol.

Mr Nicholl says the stadium is in the process of putting in place a series of measures that will allow it to meet its licensing requirements and he had conducted debriefs about the concerts.

Questions have also been put to the stadium about rumours of losses at the concerts. Mr Nicholl said: "It's important to point out that we are a stand-alone company, with our own budget and that all of our operations are geared towards ensuring that the stadium and all the community facilities are managed in a financially viable way.

"The SMC is confidently working towards these and continually reviews its progress towards these objectives."

Paul Hart, interim managing director said: "I have taken the first steps in the investigation and will report back to Mayor Winter when the investigation is completed."