Mud Club's closure threat lifted in last-ditch deal

The Mud Club's owners, Harvey and Emma Bailey, made a last- minute deal with the police to ensure an enforced closure of at least a week has been avoided.

The agreement will see the club serve drinks only in plastic containers from August 8.

This practice will be included in the premises licence for the seafront business.

A further six conditions were also added to the way Mr and Mrs Bailey operate their seafront club.

Arun District Council's licensing sub-committee agreed to the new conditions being imposed at a hearing last Friday.

Sub-committee chairman Cllr Graham Tyler warned Mr and Mrs Bailey that failing to observe them could see action taken against them straight away.

"If these conditions are not adhered to, then there should be a mechanism in place for us to instigate an immediate review of this licence," he stated. His comments ended a near two-and-a-half hour hearing into the Mud Club's operation.

The review of the existing licence had been demanded by Sussex Police after a violent attack in the premises on April 26 when an 18-year-old man received a serious injury after he was 'glassed' by another customer.

The police detailed five earlier assaults in which glass was used. They were among 30 incidents at and around the club detailed by police to back their claim the club was being badly run.

This was strongly denied by Mr Bailey, who claimed the attempt by the police to stop the club selling alcohol for at least seven days was a kneejerk reaction.

The amount of violence was minimal compared to the 140,000 people who had attended the club in the past three years.

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