Nightclub drinking in last chance saloon

The Empire in Middlesbrough has a new management team and security company

A nightclub under threat of closure has been given a “final chance” and will see its licence restored next month.

The licensing committee at Middlesbrough Council said it had seriously considered revoking the licence of the Empire.

Members condemned a “complete failure of management and door supervision” and a “pattern” of serious behaviour associated with the premises.

However, they heard a new security company had been engaged and the previous management team replaced.

The Empire’s licence was suspended before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

This followed an incident in which a member of the public was filmed being hauled on to a pavement outside the Corporation Road nightspot and dropped head first.

A man was arrested and bailed pending further investigation.

Councillor Stephen Hill, chairman of the committee, said: “Due to the common ground between the parties, it has been decided to give the premises’ licence holder a final chance to continue to operate.”

Existing and new conditions imposed by the committee included:

• At least to be one door supervisor per hundred customers, with more staff engaged if a risk assessment concludes they are needed

• Body-worn cameras for door staff

• Scanners to be used on every person entering the venue

The committee said underage customers had been admitted into the Empire, some of whom were involved in violence and contributing to its poor reputation.

Mr Hill said: “It is appropriate therefore that management know everyone who is in the premises and what ages they are, rather than just a cohort of people who an individual considers may look under 25."

Disappointment at suspension

In 2022 police released a ten-page document ahead of a previous licensing hearing detailing 34 alleged incidents, including a stabbing, women being groped, violence by door staff, a bouncer using a homophobic slur, clubgoers being glassed and a man knocked unconscious.

The latest hearing was told the venue intended to reopen on 11 May.

A further limited period suspension was imposed until 16 May, although Mr Hill added this could be appealed to a magistrates court.

The Empire owners previously said they understood the concerns being expressed, but were disappointed with the licence suspension and remained “committed to maintaining a safe night time space”.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reached out to a press representative employed by the Empire to see whether there was any further comment, only to be told he had lost his job that morning and could not help.