Member Article

Kingston’s Barcadia to close following council review

After a year of trials and tribulations, Barcadia in Kingston-Upon-Thames has been ordered to close by Kingston Council

The Clarence Street venue known has repeatedly come to the attention of both the police and the council over the last two years.

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.

In April, the bar was placed back under review after two underage girls were permitted entry before one later made an allegation of rape against two men she met inside.

The Police application to the Committee stated that 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

“We know it is likely that Barcadia will appeal this decision. If they do, we hope their their appeal fails, but even if it does not they need to know that along with the police we will now be watching their every move. There is no place in Kingston upon Thames for bad licensees.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .