Bar Rouge in Huddersfield closed over 'bouncer' violence

Nov 21 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

BAR CLOSED OVER ‘BOUNCER VIOLENCE’

ONE of Huddersfield’s most popular nightspots has been forced to close amid claims of bouncers attacking revellers.

In an unprecedented move, police and Kirklees Council’s licensing department have ordered bar Rouge to shut immediately because of concerns about “serious disorder”.

A notice put on the door of the King Street bar yesterday says a review of the licence will now be carried out.

It says the grounds for the review are that “in the opinion of the senior police officer, the premises are associated with serious disorder.”

Sgt John McFadzean from Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), which covers the town centre, said: “We have had problems over the last couple of months with door staff.

“Last weekend we had a number of alleged assaults by door staff on Saturday and Sunday.

“Following complaints from officers about what they had been doing and the collation of CCTV evidence, we have decided their activities weren’t acceptable, they weren’t doing their job properly and we should go in there and take action.”

The bar must remain closed until the review, which will take place in front of magistrates some time next month.

They will decide whether the conditions of the licence will have to change. The bar owner may have to take extra steps to improve the situation and a new bar manager may have to be appointed.

Other licensed premises have been subject to reviews in the past, but have usually been allowed to carry on trading until the reviews took place.