The Gallery Nightclub has been condemned in a police report after statistics revealed that the crime rate rocketed by 1,050 per cent following their “May Madness” drink promotions.
Gallery’s license has been called into question and the North Yorkshire Police have pushed for a review to tighten up the terms.
They are concerned that the club, which formerly hosted the official YUSU Thursday night as well as the popular but unofficial SNG, has been neglecting their licensing responsibilities for commercial interests.
York Council’s Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety, Sandy Fraser, told Vision: “The impact of irresponsible ‘cheap drink’ promotions by night clubs and other late-night venues is of concern and this is reflected in the appalling record of crime and disorder which has been recorded at The Gallery nightclub in the period following the introduction of their ‘May Madness’ promotion.”
Licensing Officer Mick Wilkinson’s report to the York City Council shows that calls for police services rose during the “May Madness” deals.
The York Safer Partnership statistics indicate that there was a 1,050 per cent increase in crime associated with Gallery in the 52 days after 1 May, compared to the previous 52 days.
Fraser is concerned for public safety. He said: “There must also be concerns for the safety of their customers, who were putting themselves at risk by being so incapable that they made themselves vulnerable.”
Thefts, assaults, and arrests for drunk and disorderly behaviour were amongst the 192 incidents recorded between January and October, out of which 120 occurred after 2am.
Some of the episodes even took a bizarre turn as one customer was found to have a “full bite mark” on his face, whilst another was arrested at the back of the club wielding a meat cleaver and wearing surgical gloves.
There were also concerns over the role that the door staff played. Allegedly, Gallery needed 600 customers to make profit and door staff were told to let anyone in. Sgt Martin Metcalfe believed that “people who should not be in there” were allowed entrance into the club.
As part of the review, Councillor Fraser told Vision that “the police are asking for quite onerous and stringent new conditions for this venue.”
The police have called for a number of changes to the licensing conditions for Gallery: A maximum of 500 customers instead of the current 775 capacity, a new closing time of 2.30am to replace the existing 4.30am closing time, all glass bottled drinks to be put into another container, CCTV to cover the areas where the public have access to alcohol as well as the front of the club, barriers to be placed at the front an hour before closure with two staff members in high-visibility ‘marshal’ jackets to patrol, and one bar must shut at 1am if drinks are sold for less than £1.80, with the others closing at 1.30am.
Councillor Sandy also sees these reforms as sending a key message to owners of drinking establishments: “By calling for a review of this establishment’s license it is clearly demonstrated that neither the Council nor North Yorkshire Police will accept the lax running of such establishments.”
YUSU Welfare Officer Bob Hughes told Vision: “It is concerning to hear about the recent incidents in Gallery, and I think that bars and clubs should bear in mind their social responsibility at all times.
“I have been working with the YUSU-sponsored club nights on this message to ensure that they are on-board with a responsible drinking message.”
The outcome of the review will be determined by the Licensing Committee.