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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 02 January 2009

The Manjaro nightclub on Holloway Road

Nightclub closed again after police are called in to tackle fighting

A NIGHTCLUB has been closed for the second time this year following reports of violence late on Saturday night.
By the time officers arrived at Manjaro on Holloway Road, there was no evidence of fighting, but police say there were “scenes of general disorder” with large numbers of people trying to force their way inside.
Highbury Corner magistrates this week (Monday) granted a temporary closure order, meaning that the club will not be allowed to open until a licence review at the Town Hall, expected to take place within the next month.
Police responded to a series of calls from members of the public reporting a fight was taking place inside the club’s premises.
Two men were arrested and fined £80 for public order offences.
Officers imposed a controlled dispersal in the area during the following two hours.
Chief Inspector Steve Riley said: “We sought this temporary closure because we believe there is the potential for serious crime and disorder at Manjaro’s. It is our responsibility to ensure the people of Islington are kept safe and we will use every power available to us to achieve this.”
The Caribbean-themed bar and restaurant was closed down in April after five people were stabbed during a single weekend.
But in May, Islington Council restored its licence on condition it closed earlier.
The club was only allowed to open once police were satisfied management had put in place a series of measures, including only serving drinks in plastic containers.
At the time, owner Michael Afreh – who was unavailable for comment as the Tribune went to press – said the decision to force his business to close at 2am instead of 4am at weekends was “unfair” and would seriously affect trade.
Mr Afreh, who promised to take details of all his customers on entry, said: “We feel we’re victims of what’s happening in society at the moment.
“We thought we worked hard with the police and agreed to put measures in place to improve future events. It’s [knife crime] something that’s epidemic in society and was a shock to us and we apologise to the people of Islington.”
He added: “Our society is a late society and it’s traditional back home that people want to eat in the early hours of the morning.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams I would open a place where there would be a stabbing.
“We’re aware of the negative connotations of being African in this country – we set out to be of a high standard.”

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