Nightclub where man was stabbed to death faces fresh licensing battle

Licence review: Pryzm nightclub in Kingston
stevekeiretsu
Laura Proto30 May 2016

A popular nightclub is facing a fresh battle to retain its licence amid fears about levels of violence and sexual assaults.

Police asked Kingston Council to review the premise licence of the Pryzm venue after being told of "a series of serious offences" there.

A notice outside the club reads: “The Metropolitan Police as a responsible authority has sought a review of the licence under the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety on the grounds that levels of crime – specifically violence, sexual assault and theft – are of concern to police.”

Police asked for the review on grounds of public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder over the Christmas and New Year period.

Officers held a meeting with the nightclub’s management to raise concerns in January and were told that “internal policies would be addressed”, according to the documents.

Officers from Kingston police met members of Przym’s management again in February and were informed about a list of measures that would be implemented to reduce further incidents.

A third meeting was held in March and police raised further concerns about the levels of crime associated with the club.

A document submitted to the council said: “Since the last meeting with police it would appear that the action taken by the venue is not working and that the levels of crime specifically violence, sexual assault and theft are still of concern to police.

“In light of the above it is the view of the police that the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety are being undermined even with measures being put in place by the management at the venue specifically to reduce levels of crime and ensure the safety of their customers”.

Police concluded by stating they were requesting a review of the premises licence “in order to address the failings of management at the venue in reducing crime”, along with the club’s hours of operation and number of partygoers allowed inside.

In 2014, the club was rebranded from Oceana after the murder of Jamie Sanderson who was stabbed at the venue in 2012.

The council revoked the club's licence following the stabbing but the decision was overturned on appeal.

A number of conditions were placed on Oceana's licence in 2014, including agreeing to cut capacity by 15 per cent, limiting the sale of alcohol and introducing ID scanners.

A spokesman for Deltic Group, which owns Pryzm, said: "Pryzm is a professional and well-run venue and we are naturally disappointed with the decision to review our licence.

"We will continue to work closely with the authorities throughout the process to ensure that we reach an amicable outcome.”

A Kingston Council spokeswoman said the application is expected to be heard at the licensing sub-committee meeting on July 13.

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