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Dance and DJ ban after pub mayhem
MUSIC and dancing have been banned from an Angel pub following police reports of a mass brawl on the dance floor.
For the fourth time since the Licensing Act came into force in 2007, Islington police last week used emergency powers to call on the Town Hall to force The Glass Works to close earlier.
This follows assaults on a number of people during a fight that broke out a fortnight ago at the pub in the N1 Centre.
Police successfully convinced Islington’s licensing panel to ban dancing and stop the pub hosting DJs or playing music that would invite people to dance. Background music can still be played.
The pub is one of the Lloyds chain of bars – the only pubs that parent company JD Wetherspoon allows to play music.
Until now, The Glass Works has remained open until 2am Monday to Sunday. But the licensing panel has temporarily introduced midnight closing all week, with last drinks served at 11.30pm. A licence review hearing will be held later this month.
An Islington police spokesman said: “During the incident, which erupted on the dance floor, a number of people were assaulted, both in and outside the venue, resulting in serious injuries.
“Due to the seriousness of the incident, police felt it was necessary and proportionate to seek a reduction to the trading hours of The Glass Works and to remove the music and dancing provision of their licence.”
PC Mark Usher, from the licensing team, said: “Islington has a vibrant night-time economy and we expect people to be able to enjoy themselves in a safe and friendly environment. Police will not hesitate to make use of all available powers should premises fail to meet the expected standards.”
A Wetherspoon spokesman said: “The company has an excellent record for the manner in which it runs its pubs.
“However, it has fallen well below the accepted standards at The Glass Works.
“The company has been working with police in the area to reduce the number of incidents and we are reviewing our operating procedures to ensure similar incidents do not take place in future.
“We appreciate that police felt they had to take the action they have.” |
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