Police have objected to a Bury nightclub extending their opening hours saying among past issues was the rape of 17-year-old girl after she had left the premises. Club 66, on Silver Street have given notice to Bury Council for a temporary event this weekend (April 1 and 2) to allow their alcohol licence to be extended from 4am to 5am.
However, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have objected to the change. GMP have told the council the extension ‘would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder’. Bury Council have published the representations from the police about the extension.
In one section, police say the extension of hours at Club 66 would undermine the licensing objective of the ‘protection of children from harm’. The report, said: “GMP are aware of at least one occasion where the premises has allowed entry to a vulnerable 17-year-old female who was raped after leaving the premises.”
Club 66 have said their venue is 'safe' and that they 'did everything in their power' to make sure the victim of the alleged rape was safe when leaving the premises.
In their submission GMP also detail other factors with the hours extension which they say leads to ‘potential for crime and disorder which poses a public safety risk’. The report, states: “GMP is aware of information relating to numerous breaches of their current premises licence, which includes not providing CCTV to police when requested and within the allotted time-scales.
“There have also been occasions when the premises has allowed the admission of patrons beyond their current operating schedule for which warning letters have been sent. As a result, preparations are being made to submit a review of the premises licence. “GMP believe if the temporary entertainment licence is granted it will undermine the licensing objectives.”
On its website there is a description of the venue. It said: “Club 66 Bury is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and club in the North West. Our pleasant and sophisticated ambience is open to all who want to indulge in luxurious surroundings.”
The venue specialises in Caribbean food saying ‘our mission is to be the best Caribbean restaurant and nightclub in the northwest’. A licensing panel made up of Bury councillors will hear representations about the GMP objection and make a decision on the licence at a hearing on Friday, March 31.
Speaking to the MEN after the hearing, a spokesperson for Club 66 said: "This a safe club, we have ample security and unfortunately issues due happen in Bury but they are not from our premises they are from the surrounding areas.
"We understand police are not always available so we take extra care and bring extra security to keep the premise and its customers safe. "We are the only premises that have weekly 7pm to 9pm security.
"Our security have helped many other venues in the surrounding area when fights have broken out there and we support our community and we are a no nonsense venue that will intervene at the first sign of trouble to avoid and conflicts or escalations. "We also provide free anti-spiking items along with following the Ask for Angela initiative."
The business added that it put 'all measures in place' and 'did everything in it's power' to make sure the victim of the alleged rape was safe when leaving the premises. They said: "As a business we have acted under the licence objective of duty of care for vulnerable people."
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