Nightclub's fate to be decided in licence review

A full review will decide the future of the venue

A nightclub could have its licence cancelled when a review takes place next week.

The Middlesbrough Empire is facing a fight for its existence after a man was allegedly "thrown to the ground" outside the venue in March.

Its licence was suspended and it has been closed ever since.

The club previously announced it had enhanced security measures ahead of the review.

Options for its future include cancelling the licence, suspending it for up to three months, changing the conditions or removing the designated premises supervisor.

Members of Middlesbrough Council's licensing committee may also decide to issue a warning or recommend improvement within a certain time period.

They will meet on Wednesday for a full review, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Club owners would have the right to appeal the review outcome at magistrates’ court.

'Lack of control'

The review hearing follows the decision of the committee to suspend the licence at an interim meeting after an application by Cleveland Police.

Sgt Glyn Bavin had said the victim of the alleged assault had a seizure as a result of being thrown to the ground outside of the Corporation Road venue.

In its reasons for the interim suspension, the committee said it was considered “just luck” that the man did not suffer very serious injury “if not worse”.

It was also said the alleged perpetrator did not appear to be challenged by staff.

Citing other alleged incidents at the venue, representations were also made from a Middlesbrough Council public health officer who said there was “a clear lack of control” at the premises.

'Necessary steps'

Ahead of the full review hearing, the club said a new firm would operate security as they made “essential and necessary steps to ensure that best practices" were adhered to.

A new management team was also announced in the wake of the departure of Ashley Wem, who ran the venue for 30 years.

The Empire also had its licence suspended for weeks in 2022, following a stabbing at the venue.

It has since introduced security measures including 72 cameras, ID and fingerprint scanners.