Traders speak out as nightclub fights to save its licence
VENUE IN DANGER OF BEING SHUT DOWN
TRADERS operating near a city nightclub have been left divided and unsettled after hearing the venue could lose its licence.
Piper in Newland Avenue is set to have its premises licence reviewed by Humberside Police after “disorder” outside the premises.
The nightclub is open until 3am four nights a week, and has become popular over the years with students living in the area.
However, not everyone has taken well to the noise from the club and now, after complaints, the venue is in danger of being shut down.
Billy, who owns Heel ‘n’ Key Bar right next to The Piper, sympathises with residents who have to cope with blaring noise until the early hours.
However, he appreciates what Piper has done to boost the economy of Newland Avenue, but he feels the owner has “created a monster” by pushing back the closing time to 3am.
He said: “It has been going on for months and with it closing at 3am you still get people staggering around and arguing in the streets at 5am.
“It’s not the right place for a nightclub. It has always been a club, but when I moved here 40 years ago it was a working men’s club and it was never open until the early hours.
“Piper has always been there, but it was nothing like it is now. I know the owner is in a business to make money as that is the thing you go into business for, but I think he has created a monster.”
Although Billy is concerned about Piper’s operation, other traders down the avenue support the controversial nightclub.
One trader, who did not want to be named, believes that losing Piper would have a detrimental impact on the street and he is planning to submit a representation in support of the venue.
“It would destroy the avenue and have a knock-on effect on all the food outlets and bars down Newland Avenue,” he said. “It is a busy nightclub that has been here for years and was here before a lot of the residents.
“If Piper goes, people will lose jobs because businesses won’t be able to stay open.
“I am going to support Piper and I believe the majority of others will, too.”
Although Chicken George shuts at 11.30pm, before the mass exodus from the club, Serhat Eric, who works in the family business, believes Piper does not deserve to be subjected to this licence review.
Mr Eric said: “It wouldn’t really impact us, but if Piper were to close it would impact other businesses that stay open late.
“I would really like to see Piper stay in Newland Avenue. The disorder that has happened has been nothing major and it’s just drunk people arguing – it’s what you expect.”
The review of Piper’s premises licence has been agreed after an application was made under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003.
A spokeswoman for Hull City Council said: “This review has been instigated by Humberside Police as a result of the premises failing to adhere to conditions of the licence and disorder outside the premises.”
Anyone wanting to submit a representation in respect of the application should send a letter to the Licensing Authority at the offices of Kingston Upon Hull City Council, 33 Witham, Hull, HU9 1DB.
More information can be found at www.hullcc.gov.uk
Piper has been contacted for a comment in relation to the licence review.