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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 25 January 2008

Worship nightclub in Finsbury Square

Nightclub tightens up security after shootings

Police warn: We’ll push for closure if licence rules are broken

OWNERS of a Finsbury club where two people were shot last year have agreed to stricter security demanded by police.
Worship, in Finsbury Square, attracted police attention last year following shootings in September and November in which one person was shot in the leg and another in the stomach.
The club was brought before Islington’s licensing committee at the Town Hall on Monday when police asked for 21 new conditions – including installing digital CCTV and searching clubbers with hand-held electronic wands – attached to Worship’s licence.
The club’s licence holder, Sleepless, has also put forward nine extra conditions for promoted events, including employing extra door staff and banning lighters, pens, hoodies and trainers.
Owner Jason Julien told the Tribune last week he had agreed to a request to stop hosting R’n’B and hip-hop nights. He added: “We’re only going to hold private corporate events [at weekends].
“We’ve decided to try and promote the restaurant in the evenings during the week to try and attract the business crowd to come in after work.
“We’re just following what the police and the council are saying. If it’s a case where we follow the rules and we can’t survive we’ll just have to sell the place.”
The licensing panel approved all 30 conditions, as well as a requirement that CCTV must be functioning before and during any promoted event.
Lib Dem committee chairman Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk said: “Islington has great nightlife and the vast majority of people come here to have fun in a safe environment. It is a top priority for us that they are able to do so. We want people to be safe when they are visiting bars and clubs in Islington.
“We have balanced the conflicting needs of residents and the police with the business’s interests. We are reassured that, with the additional conditions, the licensing objections will be met.”
A spokesman for Islington police licensing unit said: “In this case the licence holder cooperated fully with police and licensing officers. We will have no hesitation in seeking to revoke the licence of a club or bar which does not keep to its licence conditions or cooperate with the authorities when required.”
The owners of a Clerkenwell nightclub have won extra time to discuss an application to boost its capacity with residents who fear their area is in danger of become “sleazy”.
Piya Piya, in City Road, was due to have an application to increase its capacity from 140 to 200 heard at Islington Town Hall on Monday. It is also seeking to open until 3am Monday to Thursday and 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.
But Robert Sutherland, representing the club, persuaded the panel to adjourn the meeting to a later date to give the club time to consider changing the terms and discuss the application with residents.

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