PARTIES BANNED
Plug pulled on restaurant functions after mass brawl
A Cambuslang restaurant has had birthday parties for 18- and 21-year-olds pulled from its menu – after a huge brawl involving dozens of drunken youths erupted at a private function.
Concerned police requested that restrictions be placed on the licence of popular Italian eaterie Fratelli, following several unsavoury incidents at the venue, including September’s mass punch-up which required 10 officers to restore order.
South Lanarkshire Council’s licensing board has now moved to crack down on boozy teenagers by banning birthday parties in the restaurant.
A popular Cambuslang restaurant has been banned from hosting 18th and 21st birthday parties in its function suite – following a mass brawl involving more than 40 people.
Police requested that Fratelli, on Glasgow Road, face restrictions due to the “risk to the public” from this and other incidents at the Italian eaterie over the last 12 months.
The matter was heard at a recent meeting of South Lanarkshire Council’s licencing division, where councillors voted to impose restrictions upon the venue’s function room.
The owner of Fratelli, Raphael Ramani, has told the Reformer he intends to appeal the decision.
In September, 10 officers were called to the venue to deal with a large scale disturbance involving between 40 and 50 people. Several arrests were made.
Another brawl took place in October, this one starting when a number of people were leaving the restaurant. A passing police patrol had to intervene.
Cops then swooped on the hall later that month and found a number of underage drinkers.
Inspector Stephen McManus of Rutherglen police office told the Reformer: “Licensed Premises have specified conditions and failure to adhere to these can greatly impact on public safety.
“As part of our policing plans we regularly carry out proactive visits to licensed premises to provide public reassurance and detect offences.
“We also work closely with the Lanarkshire Division Licensing Department, SLC Licensing and the Licensing Board to ensure that any breaches/concerns are appropriately raised and addressed.
“As part of the referral to the Licensing Board Police Scotland requested that Fratelli be prevented from holding 18th and 21st functions, as it was identified that this was when the majority of the offences were committed.
“The Licensing Board reviewed the evidence provided and took the decision to impose the requested sanction due to the level of disorder and obvious risk to the public.
“We will continue to work with partners and licence holders to ensure conditions are complied with and public safety is maximised.”
There is no time limit to the ban on the birthday bashes at the venue, and the licence holder is required to apply again if he wants the restrictions to be lifted.
Mr Ramani believes the decision will negatively affect not just his business, but also the local area.
He said: “Although we have not yet received written confirmation of the change of our licence conditions, we will of course fully comply with the Board’s decision.
“This decision means a lot of families are going to be left disappointed and it also means one less amenity in the area.
“We are not aware of any arrests, although we heard that a 50-year-old man and a 30-yearold man were given a fixed penalty for fighting outside our premises.
“We will seek legal advice with a view to appeal the decision.”