A DECISION on whether to close a city nightclub is set to be made at a council meeting next month.
Police have called for a review of the licence agreement for Alexanders due to concerns about “continued” crime and disorder.
A Worcester City Council notice, placed outside the popular nightspot, says the constabulary made the application “as a result of continued disorder at the venue”.
Alexander Fell, owner of Alexanders in New Street, told the Worcester News he was “dismayed” to hear West Mercia Police had made the application to strip him of his licence.
A 28-day consultation closed on Friday and the city council’s licensing sub-committee will now decide whether to continue, revoke or alter the bar’s licence at the special meeting at 10am on Tuesday, December 4.
Sergeant Paul Smith said: “We have made a formal application to regulatory services to have Alexanders’ premises licence reviewed as there have been various incidents of disorder at the venue including fighting outside the premises.
“It is the responsibility of the licence holder to uphold lawful behaviour and observe the licensing regulations within their licensed premises.”
Mr Fell said that, following the police’s support for his application earlier this year to extend trading hours, he is “really concerned” about the constabulary’s latest move.
“We have successfully worked with West Mercia Police in a spirit of open partnership for four years in establishing a premium late-night venue for the city of Worcester,” he told the Worcester News.
Over the summer, police released a CCTV image of three men, believed to have been in the club on June 24, before two men were kicked and punched to the floor.
Later in the summer, several of the club’s front windows were smashed. And earlier this year there were reports of a fight outside the club in the early hours of January 27, believed to have involved a group of guests who had been asked to leave the venue.
A spokesman for the city council said Worcestershire Regulatory Services started the process for reviewing Alexanders’ licence in line with the Licensing Act . The spokesman said on November 27 that a report will be published that will include all the representations received during the consultation.
The spokesman added: “We have received several representations supporting the police’s view that changes should be made to Alexanders licence and also several others supporting Alexanders. A date for the formal licensing hearing has now been set - this will be a special meeting at the Guildhall, open to the public.”
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