Police call for nightclub licence to be reviewed following fights

Last month more than 20 people were involved in a brawl at the Oxygen club and, since August last year, two people have been taken to Barnsley Hospital after suffering a suspected drugs overdose there.

The club is split between the Soul Lounge bar – formerly known as Tempo – on the ground level and the Oxygen bar downstairs.

Each venue is accessed from separate entrances, in Shambles Street and in Grahams Orchard, though they are covered by the same licence.

On March 9 this year Sergeant Derek Barker, on behalf of South Yorkshire Police, applied for the licence to be reviewed on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and protecting children from harm.

Many of those involved in incidents at the club were underage; on one occasion a 16-year-old boy was knocked unconscious after being put in a stranglehold and thrown out by a bouncer shortly before 5am.

Sgt Barker said in his application to Barnsley Council's licensing board: "Innocent members of the public are put at risk when in the vicinity of the premises. Although the times vary, it is clear that the management are unable to control the premises after 1am.

"It also has to be noted that this venue usually opens for business at around 11pm the previous evening – therefore suggesting it cannot be controlled whilst open for licensable activities."

A log submitted by the police to the licensing board shows that there have been 20 incidents there in the last year, most of them involving fights between large groups of men.

In November last year a man called South Yorkshire Police from the club saying he and his girlfriend were being assaulted and in February this year members of the public called the police saying a large group was fighting outside .

Last September, three men were arrested after being seen walking out of the club to a nearby area and dealing drugs. In June last year, the police were called by a member of the public reporting 12 men fighting outside the club; two men were arrested on suspicion of GBH.

Last month, an Asian man was attacked in the toilets of the Oxygen club by a group of three men and, in November last year, two males – one of whom was just 17 years old – were arrested in the venue for possession of drugs.

Sgt Barker said agreements between the police and the licence holder, Ali Asgari, had been ignored. He added: "Previous attempts at controlling the incidents of crime and disorder have not worked."

However, three members of the public have written to the council in defence of the club.

One of them, local bar owner Daniel Addy, said: "I have been attending Oxygen for around two years now and find it a great place to go and wind down after a long day."

He added: "The bar staff are very friendly and helpful. The security there is very good, they are polite, helpful and very professional.

"In all the time I have been attending Oxygen not once have I ever seen or been in a situation where I have felt uncomfortable, threatened or in danger."

A decision will be made on Soul Lounge and Oxygen's licence at a meeting on Tuesday, April 27 at 10.30am at Barnsley Town Hall.

Last month the board revoked the licence of Bar Mix in Eldon Street, after staff were caught serving alcohol to children as young as 14.

The revocation will come into force early next month, after the expiry of a 21-day appeal period.

Soul Lounge and Oxygen could not be contacted for comment.