Bognor Regis nightclub can stay open, with conditions

Club Lush, in Sudley Road, was under threat after Sussex Police received “numerous” reports of violence and drunken behaviour.

Today, however, Arun District Council’s licensing committee ratified an agreement between the two.

Violence

Speaking about the application, a Sussex Police spokesman said: “Despite a meeting in February between the police and managers of the club, further incidents of violence were reported to police.

“An application to review the licence was submitted to Arun District Council in May as a result of the continuing behaviour of club-goers.

“Subsequently, significant discussions were undertaken by the police and the premises licence holder, resulting in an agreement which means the club remains open but under stricter operating conditions.”

Hundreds of Bognor Regis residents had signed a petition supporting the club.

New conditions include: operating an identifying scanning system with a strict no ID, no entry policy, stopping the sale of alcohol at 2am instead of 2.30am, employing fully-trained door staff from an external security company, implementing a drugs policy, implementing a dispersal policy with Sussex Police and installing CCTV.

Last resort

Jean Irving, force licensing & public safety manager said: “Today’s decision has been as a result of many weeks of significant discussions between police licensing and the premises management.

“We’re very pleased the suggested measures have been agreed by Arun District Council’s licensing committee.

“It enables the club to remain open but means they will have to adhere to strict new conditions in order to keep their licence.

“Applying for a review of a licence for any premises is a last resort, and we will rarely request revocation as we do not want to close any business down.

“However, it’s our responsibility to ensure that members of the public visiting any pub or club can do so in safety and that everything is being done to protect them through licensing regulations.”

Club Lush will still have to close for six weeks, effective from the end of the three-week appeal period, for the new measures to be put into place.

A full report from the meeting will be in next week’s Bognor Regis Observer, Thursday, July 12, edition.