Notorious nightspot suddenly shuts down

MARKS and Spencer will not open in Hudddersfield on Boxing Day.

Staff at the New Street M&S store will be able to enjoy an extra day off with their families after the high street retailer decided not to open a number of its stores across the UK on December 26.

Huddersfield’s M&S Simply Food Store in Wakefield Road, the M&S branch in Woolshops, Halifax and the Simply Food store at Birstall’s Junction 27 retail park will also be closed on Boxing Day.

The decision comes after more than 200.000 people backed Ian Lapworth’s online petition, which argued that retailers that opened on the festive bank holiday were exploiting low paid workers. Yorkshire Police decided to appeal the panel’s decision in May though their lawyers later withdrew the attempt, telling magistrates there “has been a shift in the clientele attending the Kewz Bar and the number of incidents with Kewz Bar have greatly reduced’.’

The man accused of firing a gun into the bar’s ceiling is due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court in January. He and another man deny the charges.

The bar became notorious for violent incidents with police saying that between January 1, 2015 and February 21, 2016, a total of 30 offences had been recorded, mainly on Friday and Saturday nights.

A Kirklees Council spokeswoman said: “The council are aware that Kewz Bar has closed and it is the understanding of licensing officers that the decision to close was a management one.

“Although the premises have closed the premises licence, which permits the sale of alcohol, remains in place.”