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Swale council licence review of Life Nightclub in Sittingbourne adjourned

A licence review set to decide the future of a nightclub has been pushed back for more than a month.

The meeting, which was due to take place this morning, s called for by Kent Police following a mass brawl, reports of underage clubbers and allegations of doormen hitting customers at Life Nightclub in Sittingbourne.

Life Nightclub in Sittingbourne High Street
Life Nightclub in Sittingbourne High Street

The force demanded Swale council held a licensing review in response to the incidents, citing concerns over crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and risks to children.

However, following delays and time constraints, committee chairman Cllr Derek Carnell (Swale Independents Alliance) said: "We've decided to formerly adjourn the meeting and get a date sorted in late May when we can all come back and have more time, as some of us have got other commitments later on today and we can't rush these things.

"We've got to hear all the evidence so I think it will be better for all of us to pick another date and have the meeting across a day.

"I do apologise but it is just how these things happen."

The police are calling for bouncers at the High Street nightspot to wear bodycams and all customers to be searched and have their IDs scanned as they enter the building in future.

Cllr Derek Carnell (Swale Independents) for Kemsley. Picture: Swale council
Cllr Derek Carnell (Swale Independents) for Kemsley. Picture: Swale council

The force also wants door supervisors wearing hi-vis vests to be sent out to help with dispersal at closing time and to search all customers on entry, except for private functions with the written permission of the police.

PC Andre Smuts, who attended the adjourned meeting, said: "It is regrettable that the circumstances have meant we couldn't continue today but we look forward to the next meeting."

It is believed the next licensing meeting will now take place after Monday, June 6.

If the licensing review did go ahead, councillors would have also decided on whether or not the club should be forced to shut earlier following noise complaints.

Swale council’s environmental protection team requested the committee to reconsider the club’s hours after receiving a number of complaints about loud music from the premises and anti-social behaviour from revellers out on the street last September.

The side entrance to Life Nightclub in Sittingbourne
The side entrance to Life Nightclub in Sittingbourne

The club's licence holder, Haydn Pugh and the premises designated supervisor, Kevin Pearton were approached for comment at the meeting but did not comment on the upcoming review or the adjournment decision.

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