The New Middleton: Club given “last chance” after it escaped being stripped of its premises licence

The New Middleton was warned it is on its “last chance” after it escaped being stripped of its premises licence.

Police said up to 40 people were involved in disorder outside club at around 1am on May 19 this year.

A licensing hearing was told two were hospitalised, one with a broken wrist another with facial injuries and a brain bleed.

Police said two men were arrested following the incident.

One has appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court charged with section 18 wounding.

The other was bailed pending further enquiries.

The Thorpe Street club had its licence suspended following the violence, which happened after customers stayed late to watch a boxing match on TV.

Police applied to Leeds City Council to have the club’s licence fully revoked.

Police licensing officer Sarah Blenkhorn described the chaotic scenes, which were captured on CCTV.

She said: “It just reminded me of a scene from the wild west. It was mass disorder involving local people, 30-40 people involved.”

After around 15 police officers arrived at the scene, a sledgehammer was found behind the door of the gent’s toilets.

The hearing was told the club’s licence was previously revoked in 2020 following separate incidents.

In 2022, the club reopened with Tanya Clowes as the new licence holder.

Letters from customers and a petition of 600 names in support of the club were received by the council ahead of Tuesday’s hearing (June 18).

Ewen Macgregor, representing the club, said action was being taken to improve safety at the premises.

Mr Macgregor said: “My clients have been proactive. They have engaged and sought proper licensing advice.

“The whole community got behind the reopening of the New Middleton. It is truly a community premises.”

The sub-committee decided to suspend the licence for a further two months.

During that time, staff training must be carried out from a professional provider and security staff brought in.

A meeting must then be held with police and council officers before reopening.

Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Labour councillor Luke Farley, chairing the sub-committee, said it had not been unanimous decision.

He said: “This really is the last chance. My strong advice is definitely don’t end up in another committee.