The future of three Reading nightclubs will be decided this week after a series of fights outside venues in the town centre.
Matchbox could have its licence revoked by Reading Borough Council (RBC) on Thursday (January 30), while Yates’ licence – already suspended earlier this month – will be reviewed again on Friday (January 31).
The After Dark is the third club whose future hangs in the balance. The council has already revoked the legendary venue’s licence, which the licence holder has appealed to the Magistrates’ Court.
A judge will decide whether to back the council’s decision or overturn it on Friday (January 31).
Matchbox
The club could be forced to close after becoming a hotspot for assaults, arrests and road closures in the last few years.
A man died outside the club in April after being punched and hitting his head on the floor.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) asked for the review of Matchbox’s licence after being called to another fight in the early hours of December 7, 2019.
Matchbox reportedly want to turn the club into micro-brewery and police have said the venue’s hours of operation should be reduced to better reflect this business style.
RBC’s senior licensing officer has recommended stronger action, suggesting the licence be revoked and the owners apply for a new licence.
The licensing committee will decide what action to take on Thursday, at a 930am hearing at the Civic Offices.
Yates
The bar has been forced to close temporarily after 200 New Year's Eve revellers were involved in a mass brawl which left one man knocked unconscious.
Two violents incidents this month involving ‘hundreds of people’ prompted police to call for an urgent review of the club’s licence.
MORE ON YATES SUSPENSION: Venue forced to close temporarily after mass brawl
Following a meeting with the council on January 8, the Friar street bar's licence was suspended until January 31.
The venue’s long-term future will be decided on the same day, with a 9.30am hearing taking place at RBC's Civic Offices.
The After Dark
The legendary club could be forced to shut down at the end of the month if a judge chooses to uphold a decision by RBC to take away its licence.
RBC decided in June to revoke the licence to “safeguard the public”, after police said the club had run “high-risk events” attracting customers with a “propensity for extreme violence”.
The club has stayed open since the council’s decision in June, pending the appeal to Reading Magistrates’ Court, with the hearing taking place on Friday at 10am.
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A judge could either uphold the revocation or send the case back to councillors on the licensing committee who took the decision and ask them to reconsider.
Plans have also been revealed to demolish the iconic Reading nightclub and turn it into six flats.
The proposal has been submitted to RBC for a decision to be made at a later date.
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