THE Palace nightclub in Bridgwater will have its licence reviewed after concerns were raised about alleged drunken violence and underage alcohol sales.
The Palace’s owner, Clive Lilley, has vowed to fight the licence review, which according to Sedgemoor District Council, has been brought on the grounds of: preventing crime and disorder, public safety, and protecting children from harm.
A police spokesman said there had been “a number of incidents of violence and disorder” at the Penel Orlieu venue, and that alcohol was sold to somebody aged under 18 during a trading standards operation.
The spokesman said Mr Lilley had been co-operative with the police after concerns were raised about the venue in 2009, but added that after a new licence was granted in March this year, “a number of incidents have taken place which lead the police to believe the altered and additional conditions have had no lasting effect.”
Mr Lilley said: “We are totally and utterly shocked by it. The police have always promised they would talk to us and this has just come out of the blue. We will be fighting it very strongly.
“We all know that when people are out for a night there’s sometimes trouble. But it’s just about controlling it, which we do. I just wish the door men and staff had the backing of the police.”
People can make representations about the review to the council’s Licensing Unit, at Bridgwater House, in King Square, until November 24.
The district council’s licensing committee will then hear representations from the police and representatives of The Palace before a decision is made.
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