Top rave club loses licence
By thisislondon – 18 December 1998
Copyright: thisislondon
London’s top rave club, Bagley’s, has lost its licence after flouting health and safety rules.
Police were also concerned it had turned into a major venue for drug users.
The King’s Cross club, which attracts crowds of up to 4,000 every weekend, has recently been plagued with problems.
Documents seen by the Evening Standard reveal a long list of complaints to police about Bagley’s over the past 18 months.
Police have been called to the area more than 200 times since June last year, dealing with 109 drugs offences and numerous violent incidents.
On a “fetish night” a fire exit was blocked with whipping posts. Safety fears by Camden council and local police led council officers to refuse renewal of its licence and to turn down a late licence for New Year’s Eve.
Last month the club was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay Camden £6,000 costs by Highbury magistrates after admitting 27 breaches of licensing conditions.
A young clubber also claimed he was assaulted by the club’s bouncers. Bruce Brian says he needed hospital treatment for a broken jaw after the alleged assault on 29 November, although club owners said video footage on the night did not show any evidence of a fight.
In August a random police check on 20 clubbers arriving at Bagley’s and neighbouring dance venue The Cross revealed that all were carrying Class A drugs.
Ernest James, the chairman of Camden’s licensing committee, said: “It was clear from the club’s evidence at our hearing that there was complete indifference and a lack of concern for safety at the venue.”
A spokesman for Bagley’s refused to comment ahead of a company meeting.
However, it is understood the club will appeal against the decision. Organisers claim they were not given enough time to prepare for the hearing and thought they had met Camden’s concerns.
The club has 21 days in which to appeal. If it does so it can remain open until the appeal is heard, which is likely to be in April.
