Nightclub's licence suspended after series of Covid breaches
A West Midlands nightclub has had its licence suspended following a number of Covid-19 legislation breaches at the venue.
Nakira, at Queensgate in Birmingham, was subject to a licensing sub committee hearing on Thursday.
Police called for an expedited review of the premises licence following a number of breaches, the most recent being when officers found it was operating past the 10pm curfew – with customers still inside the venue at 12.40am on Saturday.
Birmingham City Council's licensing sub committee suspended the premises' licence and also asked that Anton Gasparov be removed as the designated premises supervisor.
A date will be set for a full review, which will be heard within 28 days.
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Councillor Philip Davis, chair of licensing sub committee A, said: “All businesses have a responsibility – not only to their staff and customers – but to the wider community and there must be consequences when Covid-19 guidance is simply ignored.
"This is potentially a matter of life or death and Birmingham City Council will continue to work with West Midlands Police to enforce the guidelines.
“It is clear that Nakira’s management failed to follow Government guidance and the club was operating with no regard for social distancing or public health.
“The way in which this premises was being run was endangering the public by risking the spread of Covid-19: It is this kind of behaviour that has contributed to restrictions being placed on Birmingham to try and control the sharp rise in cases in the city.”
