Club closes after fireservice alerton safety

A NIGHTCLUB in Barnsley has closed due to safety fears after South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue applied to review its licence.

Earlier this month, a review hearing was held at which members of Barnsley Council’s licensing board were told that the fire service had a number of concerns about safety at the Citrus Rooms club in Eastgate.

A Barnsley Council spokesman said: “Members were provided with evidence relating to defective emergency lighting, defective electrical installations, locked emergency exits and poor management.

“At the hearing it was agreed the premises would close voluntarily until September 27 to allow the owners to make the necessary improvements, undertake management and staff training and provide appropriate health and safety documentation.

“However, the premises’ licence holder, Citrus Trading Limited, has now surrendered the licence to Barnsley Council with immediate effect.”

Coun Charlie Wraith, chairman of the licensing board, added: “We gave the company the benefit of the doubt and allowed them two weeks, at their own request, to complete the necessary improvements to the premises and prove they had the appropriate training and procedures in place to ensure the safety of the public. However, the licence holder has decided against this option and has opted to close the premises.”

Firefighters in Barnsley have also issued a warning about leaving cooking unattended after a kitchen fire in Bellmer Court, Birdwell, on Tuesday evening.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said an automatic timer failed and the burning food filled the house with smoke. Fortunately, smoke alarms prevented a more serious incident.