Demands to close social club in wake of drink and drugs claim

A SOCIAL club on a notorious housing estate should be shut down immediately, a Bradford councillor warned yesterday.

Coun Michael Johnson, who represents Tong, called for Holme Wood Social Club’s closure after West Yorkshire Police asked for a review of the licence following a serious assault and the suspects found inside the premises, beyond permitted licensing hours, “drinking and taking drugs with the main doors to the club open and unlocked”.

In a report for members of Bradford’s Licensing Panel the council said police are also concerned about other breaches of the licence conditions and lack of CCTV footage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Johnson, who had lived in the area for decades but who now lives in Howarth, said he was concerned about the club’s direction. He added: “I lived in Holme Wood for 46 years – from the age of nine years old – and when we were there in 1960 we were the first people on the estate.

“In those days it was a proper social club and was one of the first things to appear on the estate. It was run by a committee but I think we live in a different society and its days are past.

“It is not bringing anything of value to the majority of the residents of Holme Wood and most of the residents never enter the premises – it’s a minority who go there.

“For most people it is a nuisance not a benefit and I do not think it is serving a useful purpose any longer. Most people would like to see its closure. This club is a nuisance and needs shutting.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The report said that a serious incident took place on November 10 last year when police arrested a number of people under a planned operation in the club,

It added: “At this time the suspects were seen to be inside the premises, drinking, taking drugs and with the main doors to the club open and unlocked.

“At this time the designated premises supervisor was a Marie Gibson who attended at the club at 4.15am and spoke with officers. She confirmed that she had no idea that the premises were open and that no-one should have been on the premises at all.”

A further meeting then took place with John Cordingley – the licence holder – to discuss the problems.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But despite removing Ms Gibson and replacing her with Andrew Prince, matters soon deteriorated further.

“On June 3, a birthday party took place at the club with Mr Prince’s full knowledge. At 11.36pm a 999 call was received by police stating that there was a large fight taking place within the club. The injuries to the person were extremely serious.”

Police noted that there was no CCTV footage of the incident and on June 15, Bradford South Licensing Department called for another meeting with Mr Cordingley who was told that a review of the premises would now take place.

In a letter to Bradford Council, Alain Wainwright, said he had lived in the area for 13 years and was “extremely concerned” about events which had occurred on the site over a number of years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He claimed that there had been a “chaotic” horse fair held there in April last year when horses and carts had “raced up and down” Broadstone Way leading to buses having to be diverted because of obstructions caused by animals.

He said elderly people who lived in the many bungalows close to the club had been “subjected to verbal abuse” when they had ventured out. The same problems had happened to churchgoers.

He added: “There are many people in Holme Wood who have approached me since I was elected to the council last year expressing concern about how they feel intimidated when passing the club.

“In view of the number of incidents in and around the club premises, some indeed that are extremely serious, I would ask that the licence be revoked.”

The licensing panel will make its decision at 10am on Wednesday. No-one at the club – which has been closed for five months – was available for comment.