Nightclub closed down after repeated licence breaches

Friday 08 April 2016

A nightclub in Cattle Street has been closed down after being prosecuted four times in nine months for licence breaches and after inspections repeatedly found the premises overcrowded and with fire alarms turned off.

The Police Licensing Unit say that they took an application to the Royal Court on Monday to revoke the licence of Nikita because the management “clearly demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of their patrons” – saying that they found it overcrowded and with the fire alarms silenced on more than one occasion.

A statement by police said that the club had no evacuation procedures in place, that staff were not properly trained in evacuation procedures and that price lists were not displayed.

Inspector Andy Bisson of the Police Licensing Unit said that asking the Licensing Assembly to shut down premises was a last resort – but that over a period of time the licensee had shown an unwillingness to work with his team and the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service to comply with the law.

Inspector Bisson said: “The Police Licensing Unit are responsible for enforcing the Licensing law and ensuring Licensees carry out their legal requirements.

“A constructive and informative approach is taken in advising Licensees of their obligations and the unit work alongside partner agencies such as the Fire Service and Environment Department to ensure that this is done and that public safety is paramount.

“Prosecuting a licensed premise is a last resort, but where there is a blatant breach of the law and an unwillingness to take any advice on board this will undoubtedly result in an investigation.”