A bid to reopen a Carlisle nightclub by a new company has been rejected.
Cumbria police had objected to the licence transfer from the former company, Truth Enterprises, which ran the Truth nightclub in Englishgate Plaza off Botchergate, to the new company, B&2.
A licensing officer with Cumberland Council told members of a licensing sub-committee, at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Friday, that Truth Enterprises was struck off/dissolved by Companies House on January 16, 2024, and the application to transfer the licence to B&2 was submitted to the council.
He said that two company directors listed for Truth Enterprises – Ben Read and David Thompson – were the same directors listed for B&2.
On January 17 this year the premises licence for Truth nightclub was revoked by the licencing sub-committee following police concerns over underage drinking and public safety.
It is understood that managers at the nightclub are appealing against that decision and it is due to be heard next month at Carlisle Magistrates Court.
No representative from the nightclub was present at Friday’s hearing but PC Heidi Underwood, of Cumbria Police, told members that she was objecting to the licence transfer.
She said: “As licence holders for the premises, Truth Enterprises were found to have failed to comply with the premises licence conditions and as a result the premises were not run in accordance with the expectations and standards of a licence.
“Given that the company directors for B&2 are identical to Truth Enterprises, Cumbria police have no reason to believe that the premises will be managed in a responsible manner that upholds the licensing objectives. In particular the prevention of crime and disorder.”
At last month’s hearing the committee heard that the premises manager was not fully aware of her responsibilities under the conditions of the licence.
PC Underwood told that hearing that there had been ongoing issues with Truth since it opened in 2022 and in September there were 18th birthday parties on two consecutive nights where underage customers were at the premises.
At the earlier hearing she said a 16-year-old female was found in the area “tottering” around in an intoxicated condition who had confirmed to officers that she had been drinking at Truth that evening.
After a short period of deliberation, committee chairwoman, Councillor Jeanette Whalen (Yewdale, Labour), said that they had considered the application and taken into account the evidence placed before them.
She added: “After careful consideration the sub-committee has unanimously decided to uphold the objection made by the police and refuse the transfer of the premises licence.”
She outlined a number of reasons for the decision, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder, which had led to the decision to refuse the transfer of the licence.
She said: “Given the evidence provided by the police they have a clear concern about the running of the premises by the same individuals under a different company name.
“In order for the council to promote the prevention of crime and disorder the transfer is refused.”
