Leicester bar has license suspended following ‘catalogue’ of violent incidents
A Leicester bar has had its license suspended for two months after its owners made “no attempt” to address concerns about crime, disorder and noise at the venue.
Mamba Café and Bar was slapped with restrictions on its opening hours, sales of alcohol and the number of people allowed to use an outdoor vaping and smoking area in April 2022 following a string of complaints.
Its operator, Lava Club Ltd, appealed the decision, but it was upheld by magistrates last week after the company failed to make meaningful changes at the bar.
When the venue reopens, Security Industry Authority (SIA) door staff will be in place wearing hi-vis jackets, body cameras and a visible SIA, and customers will be required to show identification.
Mamba’s opening hours will be restricted to 4am from Friday to Sunday, with alcohol sales ending at 3.30am. On Thursday nights, the venue will be able to remain open until 5am with drinks served until 4.30am.
A maximum of 10 people will be allowed to use the smoking/vaping area outside.
Lava Club Ltd has also been ordered to pay costs of around £22,000 to Leicester City Council.
Magistrates heard how incidents of crime and disorder at Mamba had continued since the April 2022 licensing sub-committee hearing. Police evidence included a catalogue of violent incidents linked directly or indirectly to the club premises, taking place inside, outside and in the smoking area, which were reportedly caused on several occasions by the aggression of the venue’s door staff.
Local businesses including the nearby Gresham Aparthotel had reported concerns over disorder and noise linked to the club.
Magistrates heard that while the number of incidents linked to the club had declined, their severity and seriousness had not.
Dismissing Lava Club Ltd’s appeal, magistrates said: “There are many issues of public disorder and criminality still attributable to the Mamba premises.
“Most, if not virtually all of the violence and disorder is serious alcohol-related violence, in a location which receives continual heavy footfall, given the variety of other hostelries in this location.
“Other businesses in the vicinity do not have such a high level of criminal disorder associated with them, when compared to the Mamba club.
“Mamba premises have on certain occasions reported certain matters to the police, thus complying with licensing objectives, but we found that the management, anticipation and response to violent disorder associated with these premises has been extremely poor, and at times virtually ineffective; this was clearly exemplified by the recordings which we viewed today.”
Leicester deputy city mayor responsible for regulatory services, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, added: “I am very pleased to see that the hard work of our licensing team, enforcement officers and colleagues from the police has made an impact in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour associated with this club.
“It is encouraging to see that the magistrates have listened to the concerns raised by ourselves, police and neighbouring businesses in deciding to dismiss this appeal.”
