Bar could lose licence over 'outdated' CCTV system

Beet's Lounge in Pipers Row, will face a licensing hearing on 13 August

A city centre club could lose its licence after failing to replace an outdated CCTV system.

Beet's Lounge in Pipers Row, opposite Wolverhampton Bus Station, will face a licensing hearing over the issue of the aging camera system.

West Midlands Police called for the review after also finding that the bar was twice open without door staff.

City of Wolverhampton Council's public health team said the lack of even basic compliance was putting the public at risk. The club has been approached for comment.

The licensing committee, which has the power to strip the club of its licence over the failures, will make a decision on 13 August.

In a report published ahead of the hearing, West Midlands Police said the club was found in breach of its licence by operating without door staff when it was visited by officers during a late-night patrol, in January.

'Risk to public health'

Beet's Lounge was found in breach of the licence for the same reason, when a further police visit was made, in March.

The West Midlands force said the club had also been using an outdated CCTV system that was only in use during opening hours and required a CD to be inserted manually to record footage.

The club's licence holder Emmanuel Ndecha Obase Etukeni was also unable to use the CCTV system when asked and officers found several unlabelled discs, police said.

In a response to the review application, City of Wolverhampton Council's public health team said: "These breaches significantly undermine the licensing objectives and present a risk to public health and community safety.

"The lack of basic compliance measures, such as staff training, record keeping, and functional CCTV, is particularly concerning in a night-time economy setting."