Westminster imposes tough new restrictions on nightclub

Westminster City Council continued its crackdown on licensed premises by handing out tough new restrictions on a nightclub.

The Paragon Lounge in Hanover Street had the new conditions imposed on its licence after the city council reviewed it yesterday.

The nightclub was closed by police on April 10 amidst concerns that there was an imminent risk of violence and the council immediately instigated a licence review.

Yesterday the council agreed to allow the premises to continue to operate, but only under new management, and after refurbishment works to the premises have been completed.

After that the club can remain open until August 9, 2007 when its licence will be reviewed again.

They also stipulated that the clubs owners could have nothing to do with its day-to-day running and made them pledge to install a metal gate at its entrance.

Peter Large, Westminster's deputy director of legal services said: "The Paragon Lounge has been allowed to re-open only on the basis agreed to by the police, which will involve a very significant change in the way the premises operate. The police have made it clear, and it has not been disputed, that these premises could not continue to operate as they were.​

"Strict conditions have been agreed between the club's owners and the Metropolitan Police in advance of today's hearing, and having heard their submissions, we have agreed to the conditions which will allow the club to re-open.

"We believe the strict conditions imposed today will allow greater control over the Paragon Lounge, and allow the public to enjoy the service the club offers in the knowledge that it is a safe venue."

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Your Commnents​Robert Feal-Martinez​ via email 10/05/2006"Whilst I am not in a position to comment on the reason behind these new conditions, what strikes me is how?, if this night club is so badly run, did it get it's new license in the first place. We are only 6 months into the new regime, these conditions could have been imposed at the original application. Premises do not nose dive that quickly. This obviously is a Crime and disorder issue but who is 'wagging the tail'."