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Police fears fail to stop club's licence
A members-only nightclub which was forced to shut its doors by police has been given a new licence.
Mood Eaze in Gosport High Street was closed for five days after officers discovered non-members were being sold booze.
But the club has now been granted a new licence, allowing the nightclub to be opened up for everyone.
Gosport councillors agreed to the change along with a host of strict conditions.
But in doing so they said they had 'considerable concerns' after a police review revealed the club had served known troublemakers who were banned from all pubs in Gosport's Pubwatch scheme as well as underage youths.
Police also said there had been reports of alcohol-related violence and disorder at the club.
Cllr Keith Gill, chair of the licensing sub-board, said: 'The evidence that we were given makes for uncomfortable reading and gives us considerable concerns, however, we are going to move this forward.
'We are prepared to grant the new licence as we can see that it is a simplification and a way of moving forward as a legitimate business.'
After just three minutes, the meeting was adjourned for an hour while police officers and club management went into a closed-doors meeting to thrash out the terms of the licence before it went in front of councillors.
The new licence means security on the door of the club will be tightened, hot food must be on offer and only 15 people will be allowed to smoke outside the club at a time.
It also states that club managers must regularly liaise with police and inform them of any special events being planned.
Club owner, Kes Suffield, was pleased with the decision, adding: 'I'm happy with how the meeting went and it's nice that we were able to work in co-operation with the police and council.'
ALCOHOL SOLD TO NON-MEMBERS
Mood Eaze was closed for five days in February after police discovered staff had been selling alcohol to non-members.
Police told management this was not allowed under the terms of the licence.
Everyone was thrown out and the doors closed when officers discovered it was happening.
The licence also stated that food had to be on sale, which was not the case.
The club was not fined for the breach but if it had opened before officers gave permission, police would have had the power to apply to the magistrates' court to close it for good, or fine it 20,000.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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