Epping Forest District Council have launched a public consultation, asking local residents for their thoughts on their existing licensing policies, which they are required by law to review every three years. The Council’s current policy can be found here.
The Licensing Act 2003 became law on 24th November 2005 and introduced a single license scheme for all licensed premises which supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment and provide late-night refreshments. The objectives are to prevent crime, disorder and nuisance and to protect public safety and children from ha
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Given that many local residents have spoken to me recently about licensing issues, especially those who asked how Club One9Five was able to regain its license after it had been closed simply by a new body applying for the license, this may be a good opportunity for people to express their views. The deadline for comments is 31 July 2010. You can send your comments by post to The Licensing Section, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ or by email here.
Epping’s renowned Club One9Five will reopen on Friday 26th February after Epping Forest District Council’s licensing sub-committee issued the nightclub a new license today.
The club’s license was revoked and subsequently closed following a serious incident outside of the venue on Sunday 26th September 2009 in which 8 people were stabbed and a number of others injured. The committee announced at 12.45pm that a decision had been made to issue a new license following Club One9Five’s change in management and promises to make changes to safety and security procedures.
For those of you who don’t understand the depths of the Licensing Act 2003, if a new management t
eam apply for a new license, any of the historic criminal activity or generic trouble associated with the old licensees has to be disregarded by the committee whilst considering the new application.
To view Club One9Five’s application form and the letters received from local business and residents, please click here.
Over the last two weeks, I have spent an enormous amount of time reviewing why Club One9Five has had its various licenses revoked pending further investigations by Epping Forest District Council‘s Licensing Committee.
Some residents that I have spoken to have been angry that the club is shut. Some have said good reddens. Some don’t understand why One9Five is closed, but The Edge is still open. Some still think someone was killed! Many are just concerned that not enough information has been made public and that the licensing committee has decided to review the matter in private instead of in a public committee setting. However we look at this situation, lots of residents seem to have an opinion and I believe it is very important that your opinions are heard on this matter and that your concerns are taken into account by the committee prior to any final decision 
being made.
You can do so by writing to: Kim Tuckey, Licensing Section, Epping Forest District Council, High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ or by emailing ktuckey@eppingforestdc.gov.uk All responses must be received by TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER 2009.
I have just returned from Epping Forest District Council’s Licensing Sub Committee meeting which met today to review the 6 separate entertainment based licenses registered to Club One9Five which is located just off of Epping High Street in Cottis Lane.
Reports were presented to the committee by legal representatives of both Essex Police and by the Club’s owners. Essex Police’s report included a rather extensive list of criminal activity which has taken place in or around the Club during the past year. Counsel for both parties also discussed the detail around the ‘brawl’ which took place outside of the Club during the early hours of Saturday 26th September 2009.
The Committee resolved, at the request of both parties, to exclude the press and public from the hearing due to the fact the evidence (including CCTV) which needed to be share
d was specific to an ongoing investigation and could be deemed as detrimental to any forthcoming court cases.
To summarise, no decision has been made as to whether Club One9Five will have their license reinstated and it shall remain suspended pending a further hearing.
Epping Forest District Council have launched a public consultation, asking local residents for their thoughts on their existing licensing policies, which they are required by law to review every three years. The Council’s current policy can be found here.
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