Rangers can open a new bar for season ticket holders and private bookings at Ibrox.

It comes despite neighbours objecting over anti-social behaviour from fans, including “urinating in the street”.

Three local residents and Cllr Dan Hutchison, Greens, urged Glasgow’s Licensing Board to turn down the club’s bid to sell alcohol from G51 — a new venue in the old superstore.

One objector said they faced “extremely unpleasant” public nuisance on match days. They feared there was a risk of increased disorder with a new bar.

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But licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan, representing the club, said Ibrox has “more security and more controls than your average licensed premises”.

He added the club would be happy to discuss concerns with objectors, but they did not relate to the new premises. 

Mr McGowan also said there was no objection from Police Scotland or health chiefs. The board agreed to grant the licence.

Another resident had said: “One of the main problems that we all have is public urination in our gardens, in our closes.

These are not things that Rangers, with the best will in the world, can control, however the impact is on our community.”

They added fans visiting the bar would be leaving the stadium later and “coming into our community” with “poor bladder control” which is “a great concern”.

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The third objector said neighbours are “regularly subjected to anti-social behaviour mainly due to alcohol consumption”.

“This ranges from fans drinking and urinating in the street, which can involve being exposed to, verbal abuse and deliberate damage to our property.”

Cllr Hutchison, who represents Govan, argued the on-sales licence should be refused on “the grounds of preventing crime and disorder, securing public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting and improving public health”

McGowan said the club is an “experienced licence holder” and is investing around £500,000 in the new premises, which will be an “event-led venue” serving food and drink.

It will be open for match day hospitality for season ticket holders, including after games, and also for “non-match events”.

This could include showing European away fixtures or matches like the Champions League final.

Community or fan-led private bookings, such as family parties, will also be held in the venue, which has a capacity of over 400.

Mr McGowan said concerns about fan behaviour outside the stadium are “better examined using the usual channels that exist to explore those types of matters”.

“Concerns about behaviour or alleged disorder in the generality of the stadium should be explored through the community and fan liaison channels,” he added.
He also said the new bar would have “sufficient sanitary facilities” for guests.

Objectors also feared the bar would not have adequate soundproofing, however Mr McGowan said this would be dealt with during the fit-out.

He said Rangers regularly had an attendee at community council meetings to discuss issues.

Objectors said this had not been happening recently. 

Club representatives said they would liaise with the community and a forum is planned for July.