Nightclub closed permanently and put up for sale

Newcastle city centre nightclub Chinawhite has been closed

A city centre nightclub has been permanently closed and will be put up for sale.

Chinawhite, in Newcastle, had operated from the former Assembly Rooms on Fenkle Street but had faced the possibility of having its licence revoked.

Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police had accused the club's bosses of mismanagement following a series of complaints about the venue.

Operator Lykos Leisure confirmed that the club has now ceased trading and will be put on the market.

Chinawhite had faced a number of serious complaints including reports of assaults, thefts and alleged druggings in and around the venue, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The club closed in January and told the council it was looking to hire new bouncers following a fight outside the venue.

A licensing hearing was due to be held on Wednesday but has now been pushed back until 11 June in the hope that a new firm can take over the site.

'Persistent' problems

The council's evidence included reports of illegal vapes being sold in the club’s toilets and social media adverts for the club featuring scantily-clad women.

It also referenced a fight in which Newcastle United footballer Jamaal Lascelles and his younger brother were allegedly attacked after having left Chinawhite.

Northumbria Police chief inspector David Wheeler said that problems at Chinawhite have been “persistent for a significant period".

Speaking to the council, Lykos' barrister Charles Holland said the company no longer wished to trade "where the responsible authorities have lost faith in them and would wish to see their licence revoked".

He added that Lykos Leisure "doesn’t accept that there were deficiencies in its management".