Bar shut down over ‘outbreaks of crime, violence and disorder’

LICENCE REVOKED OVER MULTIPLE BREACHES

A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE bar has had its licence revoked.

Madisons Lounge Bar and Bistro on Carter Gate, Newark, was found to be breaching multiple licensing laws at a hearing on November 23.

This included punters not being asked for proof of age, searches not taking place where appropriate and people being made to queue in an “unsafe manner”, police have confirmed.

A hearing was held by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s licensing panel after receiving an application from the force to review the premises’ licence.

The decision to revoke the licence was made after the panel was presented with details of a number of serious issues relating to the running of the premises, which officials say had contributed to “outbreaks of violence, crime and disorder and risks to public safety, both inside and outside the premises.”

The panel considered all the evidence presented to them from the police and the venue and the decision was made to revoke the licence for the premises – the first time the district council has issued such an order.

Police said “there were no other options” for Madisons Lounge Bar and Bistro.

Heather Sutton, Nottinghamshire Police’s district commander for Newark and Sherwood, added: “While it’s a shame to see a local business close its doors, I strongly feel there were no other options for Madisons Lounge Bar and Bistro.

“There have been several, very serious incidents that have taken place and poor management has put customers’ safety at risk.

“Alongside high levels of crime and disorder, we evidenced multiple occasions where punters had not been asked for proof of age, searches had not taken place where appropriate and people had been forced to queue in an unsafe manner.

“This had resulted in us providing five officers to police the vicinity every Saturday night since July 4 in order to ensure people were safe.

“The bar has had ample opportunity to improve its service and we’ve worked with them to provide advice and guidance, but unfortunately we have not seen adequate improvements.”

Since the licence for Madisons Lounge Bar and Bistro was granted last year, Nottinghamshire Police gave the council details of a number of serious issues which have happened.

The panel found that there had been a series of “poor managerial decisions” relating to the running of the venue.

It felt that the seriousness of the evidence presented by the police showed that the four licensing objectives of the Licensing Act 2003 had not been upheld and were therefore unanimous in the view that the licence should be revoked.

Councillor Rita Crowe, chair of the licensing committee at the council, added: “The licensing committee will always seek to work with licensees to ensure licensed premises are being operated in a safe and legal manner.

“However, we also have a duty to the public visiting these premises to make every effort to ensure that it is safe for them to do so.”