Chelsea bar visited by Prince Harry allowed to reopen after mass brawl spilled onto King's Road

Complaints: police said two men were assaulted outside Zefi Bar in King’s Road.
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Jamie Bullen2 November 2016

An exclusive Chelsea nightclub where Prince Harry has partied has been given the green light to reopen.

Zefi Bar in King’s Road had its licence suspended in September following a mass brawl which broke out inside the venue before spilling out onto the street.

The incident, which involved up to 30 people, sparked calls from residents for the club to cut its opening hours after they told how their lives were becoming a misery, a council licensing hearing was told.

On Tuesday, the club received permission to reopen with immediate effect after some licence conditions were added.

They included improved CCTV cameras, staff training and a commitment to employ five bouncers when at least 60 revellers are inside.

Royal visitor: Prince Harry has partied at the venue 
Rex

Residents pushed for earlier closing times but the council chose not to enforce that restriction.

They said their lives were being made a misery through noise and people blocking the streets - with one claiming the army was needed to resolve the issue.

Michelle Jackson, who lives in Tetcott Road, told the hearing on Monday: “I've walked through crowds of people where taxis are pulling out and no one can see you. It was really frightening.

“We go through this time and time again. We need a terminal hour at midnight and a better dispersal policy so this doesn’t happen again.

“If you have 429 people from Jaks waiting to get into a club that holds 120 it is just not on.

“We don’t want to put anyone out of business but that is not reasonable and we shouldn’t have to put up with it.”

Natasha Kagalovsky, who lives in Kings Road, told the hearing she often witnesses “screaming” and “disruption” from her home.

She said: “From 10pm I see the crowds from my study and there is a lot of noise and nuisance.

“It is just like déjà vu for us. You cannot control large crowds of drunk people unless you have the army there.”

Philip Kolvin QC, the barrister representing Zefi Bar, said the owner had taken a series of measures to ensure the club improves its reaction to violent brawls.

He told the hearing: “With the exception of this fight there have been no significant incidents of crime and disorder. That is a reflection of the business Mr Seferi runs.

“We are simply not able to accept the evidence to justify cutting back the opening hours.”

The council made its ruling on Tuesday after the hearing on Monday was adjourned to consider conditions.

Zefi Bar is owned by entrepreneur Valentino Seferi, who also runs Jaks downstairs.

Jaks is in the basement that housed Public, the nightclub run by Prince Harry’s friend Guy Pelly, which shut after complaints about anti-social behaviour and brawls.

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