Tougher licensing for reprieved nightclub
Councillors have decided to allow a Bath nightclub to stay open after police and the owner came to an agreement over tougher licensing conditions.
Bath and North East Somerset Council licensing committee's ruling on the Blue Rooms, in George Street, follows a police investigation into criminal activity at the venue, including drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, violence and theft, which has resulted in a number of people being convicted for dealing cocaine. Officers say that the problem has got worse over the past six months and were initially calling for the nightclub to be closed and the licence revoked.
However both sides have agreed on a list of strict licence conditions, which include more door staff on duty and working longer hours, people being searched before they enter the premises and better training for those working behind the bar so they do not serve people who are already drunk.
Councillors heard from the chairman of Abbey Residents' Association Ian Perkins, who was also speaking on behalf of the Circus Residents' Association, and who complained of vomit and mess on the streets, large groups of people congregating outside the nightclub after closing time and also high levels of noise in the early hours of the morning.
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He said the biggest problems came on weekdays.
He added: "I think people are more tolerant of noise at the weekend. None of us moved to the city centre being unaware it is a city centre and we are not trying to turn Bath city centre into an abbey cloister."
The councillors also watched a DVD showing people leaving the club so drunk they could not stand up and door staff doing nothing to help them, and an incident in September when a group of men got into a violent fight inside the club which spilled out and continued in George Street.
City centre neighbourhood inspector Steve Mildren said the force would be keeping a close eye on the nightclub to make sure the conditions were met.
He said: "Our main aim is to work with the licensee and the licensing authority to come up with conditions that suit the licensing objectives.
"We could have gone for a full closure, but we felt these stringent conditions we asked for and have been agreed will ensure effective management of the premises."
Kambiz Shayegan, one of the directors of the company which runs Blue Rooms, was at the meeting and said he was looking forward to working with the police.
He said: "One of the main things we want people to know now is that we are open for business. I think the conditions are fair and useful in this day and age. We don't want to have trouble, we don't want to have drugs in the club."
3 Comments
by DKnight
Thursday, February 14 2013, 3:15PM
“I remember when the Blue Rooms first opened; members only, strict guest list policy, attentive and professional mixologists, beautiful bar staff, table service, complimentary nuts and jelly beans, leather sofas even a roaring fire! The 'right place for the right people' if you like. It is such a shame therefore to see it become a cesspool of loutish and thuggish behaviour, aided by poor door staff - one who as he has an interest in the Club sees his behaviour go unchecked. To read that the son of one of the directors has been involved in dealing class A drugs from within the Club tells you all you need really. That said director hasn't relinquished his interest in the business speaks volumes about the lack of dignity on display. That mother council hasn't acted with greater authority casts doubts over the licensing committee too. A shame as it is a lovely venue, well situated that with the correct management would offer Bath something that its nightlife is sadly lacking.”
by DKnight
Thursday, February 14 2013, 3:08PM
“Well!”
by 1MVBR
Thursday, February 14 2013, 7:49AM
“Really poor decision.
"better training for those working behind the bar so they do not serve people who are already drunk."
Really? Bar staff who need to be trained to recognise when someone has had too much? They sound pretty hopeless.
And from the man whose son has just been convicted of dealing Class A drugs at the club: "we don't want to have drugs in the club."
It would be funny if it weren't so disgraceful.”