Denial of licence for nightclub is anti-competitive

Pressure from residents and poice in Camberley, Surrey, has helped deny a licence applicaton for a new nightclub. But the applicant may appeal on the grounds that the new nightclub will reduce street disorder.

The opponents of a licence application for the proposed 450-capacity club above The Goose pub in the High Street, Camberly, felt that it would would lead to more fights, litter and vandalism nearby.

Residents and police believed that the Council's Cumulative Impact Policy - which obliges applicants for new clubs and pubs in the zone to prove the establishment would not adversely affect the environment within a certain area of the town centre - would be made redundant if the nightclub was approved.

But the applicant for the licence, Mr Murat Sumat, maintains that a new nightclub would benefit Camberley, and actually reduce the level of street disturbance and disorder in the centre of Camberly where there is currently only one major nightclub. “There are currently very long queues at the existing nightclub, clearly showing a need for a further premises. It was not my intention to attract hundreds more people to the town as I believe the customer base is already there for both premises. Therefore the fear of increased crime, disorder and noise was not necessary because, if anything, providing a further venue would act as a valve to reduce the current pressure on the town.”

Mr Sumat is considering appealing against the decision to reject his application for a licence.

Read the full item from GetSurrey.co.uk here