Wolverhampton club is ordered to close by council after worries over guns on premises
A club has been ordered to close by council chiefs after concerns that firearms were being taken inside the premises.
Bosses have suspended the premises licence of the Empire Banqueting Suite, previously Edda Lounge, in Wolverhampton, following an emergency meeting held over the weekend.
It comes amid concerns of disorder connected to the venue.
A meeting of Wolverhampton City Council's licensing sub-committee granted the interim order against the club based in Ward Street and a full hearing into the suspension of the licence is expected in the coming week.
It comes after a licence review of the premises was held earlier this year when councillors were told there had been several complaints including a tussle in the club's main lounge which saw a man later admitted to hospital with three stab wounds.
Measures introduced include the use of a knife detection arch and high visibility jackets to be able to identify door staff.
A report to the committee stated: "There is a clear link with organised crime groups attending and also weapons including firearms are getting into the premises."
However, representatives of the club said that security has now been improved and they were happy to work with police.
This included officers attending at peak periods in the early hours of the morning with the club able to open until 5.30am. Duncan Craig, representing the premises, said: "The premises have taken steps to change the security company that they use. They are a reputable firm that operates out of Birmingham. Clearly it is premises that have had issues in the past, we have people here who want to work with them in a constructive way, in a positive way."
Some of Saturday's meeting was held in private while CCTV was also shown.
Councillor Alan Bolshaw, chairman of the committee, said: "The premises licence has been suspended with immediate effect."
"The committee were presented with evidence of significant security failings at the premises. The committee have considered carefully all the evidence presented to them and have acted swiftly, decisively and robustly."
