Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee heard evidence from Kingston police that there had been recent breaches of the premises licence after two underage girls were permitted entry last month. One of the girls later made an allegation of rape against two men who she met inside. Police found door staff only checked one of the girls’ ID, which turned out to be an 18-year-old’s expired passport.
Commenting on the decision Councillor Phil Doyle, chair of Kingston Council’s licensing sub-committee said: “I am very pleased that our licensing regulatory committee has taken this decision. Ourselves and the police have had increasing concerns about how this premises has been run for quite some time.
“Along with the police the council has now reached a point where we have lost confidence in the bar’s owners to run their business in a responsible way that obeys the law and more importantly protects customers and the public at large.
“Kingston has a thriving night-time economy with many thousands of visitors and local people flocking to the town centre every week to meet friends and have a good time. And the vast majority of our licensees and other local businesses behave responsibly and operate very well run businesses.
“Well run bars can be an important part of the night time economy and we do everything we can to support them. But we will not tolerate irresponsible behaviour that puts young people at risk. As the local authority we will do everything in our power to stamp that out.”
Barcadia previously lost its licence in January 2014 after a man was hospitalised with lacerations to the neck following an alleged glassing at the venue on Christmas Eve 2013. The licensee will now have 21 days to appeal the decision, which the police say they are likely to do.