Function suite to appeal against revoking of licence

South Yorkshire Police had applied to the authority for a review of the licence of the Stars and Mayfair suite in Queens Road after the killing of 27-year-old Joshua Green a month ago.

Mr Green, a father-of-two, was fatally stabbed when violence broke out during an R’n’B music-themed party at the venue.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of his murder and released on bail.

Yesterday, members of Sheffield Council’s licensing board decided to revoke the licence over fears that, if the premises remained open, further violence could occur.

In papers presented to the licensing committee yesterday, Superintendent Martin Hemingway – on behalf of South Yorkshire Police – said various violent incidents had taken place at the venue before the fatal stabbing on New Year’s Eve. These included a brawl at a wedding in July.

Nigel Thompson, designated premises supervisor at the Stars and Mayfair, said, however, he thought the committee’s decision was “totally disproportionate”.

He added 78 weddings were already booked at the venue for the coming year and he would immediately appeal against the decision.

Mr Thompson said: “In 2011, we hosted 108 functions, 98 of which were weddings and birthday celebrations, the balance being 10 functions or late-night promotion events.

“Prior to these 10 bookings we sought advice from police, and we thought that police had no adverse intelligence that would preclude us from accepting these bookings.

“The police now claim that these 10 bookings were frequented by organised crime gang members which begs the question, why were the premises management not advised of this, or protected?

“The premises have been trouble-free for 15 years. It is my view the premises have been used by the authority to send a message to other premises not to host these type of promoter events.”