'Lack of care' at nightclub where two rapes alleged costs it its licence

The Newham Council Licensing team had a moment of triumph as they successfully defended a High Court Appeal against the operator of the Pier One Club in Canning Town. Back in November 2023, a District Judge at Thames Magistrates Court didn't hold back when revoking the club's licence, citing a ‘total lack of care from staff’ that might have been a factor in two alleged rapes occurring within just a few months of each other.

The Metropolitan Police and Newham Council's licensing enforcement had raised red flags about the venue's ability to protect its female patrons.

Newham Council successfully defended the appeal by Sahara Promotions, the operator of the nightclub. The appeal from the landlord was allowed subject to stringent conditions. This means in order to be considered for a licence in future the landlord would need to apply for a variation and appoint a new operator.

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Councillor Amar Virdee, Cabinet Member for Housing Needs, Homelessness and Private Rented Sector, plus Community Safety and Crime champion, laid it on the line: "Venues like pubs and clubs have a clear duty to prevent crime and disorder and act as guardians to customers who may be vulnerable as a result of drinking alcohol.

"Established procedures and training of staff are essential to combat a national epidemic of violence against women and girls. In London alone there’s been a 13 per cent increase in incidents of spiking while the charity Stamp Out Spiking estimates 97 per cent of people do not report incidents to the police. ".

"Our Licensing Team actively encourages all licensed premises to take up Welfare and Vulnerability (WAVE) training offered by Safer Business Network and recommend when such training is complete venues also roll out Ask for Angela. Robust training and effective welfare policies are required so that all members of staff know how to recognise signs of vulnerability as well as how to act if approached. We also recommend free anti-spiking resources provided by the Stamp Out Spiking charity."

"This successful action in the courts shows that in Newham we will take vigorous action against those who fail in their obligation to keep customers safe."

"This is an incredibly important time for our night-time economy with Christmas and the festive period upon us, in order for the sector to flourish, we need to ensure customers are safe and feel they are in a protective environment where staff will intervene and support them where issues of safety arise."