Kingston Oceana survives licence review

Kingston Council and the police have agreed 17 new licence conditions with the Oceana owners Luminar including the use of metal detectors, a reduction in the number of people allowed into the venue and changes to the nights the club will open.

This agreement has followed consultation with residents while taking into account the steep reduction in crime at the venue since the decision to revoke the venue’s licence. 

At least four wardens paid for by Oceana will patrol local streets on nights when the venue is open, rising to six when the club’s admissions reach 1,000.
A machine to check the ID of all customers is part of the agreed new conditions, which also include:
•             A 15 per cent reduction in permitted capacity, from 2,353 to 2,000;
•             WooWoo bar to provide additional seating and a food offering;
•             No licence to trade on Sundays (apart from those preceding a Bank Holiday and six other Sundays per year with prior  notice to the police and council);
•             No licence to trade on Tuesdays (apart from six per year with prior notice to the police and council);
•             A reduction in the hours for the sale of alcohol.
The new conditions will be imposed subject to a court hearing before a District Judge later this month.  Council officers will monitor compliance of the new conditions.
Peter Marks, chief executive of The Luminar Group said: “We are pleased with today’s decision, which recognises the efforts we have made to respond to local residents’ concerns and further enhance safety and security at the club.  The fact we can now move forward constructively, reflects the efforts the team have made to build strong relationships with the police and local authorities to reduce crime and ensure that we continue to provide a safe environment for the young people of Kingston.”
Councillor Liz Green, Leader of Kingston Council, said:  “The council has worked hard with Oceana’s owners on initiatives to increase people’s safety and improve the experience of visitors to the town centre at night.“Licensed premises have a duty to provide a safe environment for their customers and the council works hard with its partners and businesses to keep Kingston one of London’s safest boroughs and we will work closely with Oceana to monitor progress.”
Chief Inspector Gary Taylor, Metropolitan Police, Kingston-upon-Thames, said: “The Metropolitan Police have worked hard with Oceana over the past two years to improve security for their customers. We are satisfied that the conditions agreed will assist in improving the safety of the venue even further. We will be closely monitoring this progress.
“Kingston Police will continue to work with all venues in Kingston to promote the licensing objectives and ensure strict compliance. Oceana have seen significant crime reduction over the past six months and I am positive that this will continue.”