• Newham Licensing Team and Police win case to keep Pier One closed
Newham Council Licensing team have successfully defended a High Court Appeal against the operator of the Pier One Club in Canning Town.
This Club had its licence revoked by a District Judge in November 2023 during a hearing in Thames Magistrates Court, where the judge ruled a ‘total lack of care from staff’ may have contributed to two rapes allegedly happening within months of each other. Both the Metropolitan Police and Newham Council licensing enforcement team had serious concerns that the venue was unable to keep female customers safe.
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.
Councillor Amar Virdee, Cabinet Member for Housing Needs, Homelessness and Private Rented Sector, and Community Safety and Crime, said: “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% increase in incidents of spiking while the charity Stamp Out Spiking estimates 97% 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.”
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