One of Preston city centre’s most popular nightclubs could face losing its licence following a number of reported police incidents.
Licensing chiefs at Preston Police have requested a review of the Lava and Ignite club, in Church Street.
Officers said there had been a number of “incidents of crime and disorder” at the premises in recent months.
A log of city centre crime seen by the Evening Post shows there was 12 incidents of drunken violence recorded by police in and around the club between January and November last year.
Members of the public had until January 15 to make comments about the application before a decision is made whether to put it before a sub-committee of licensing bosses at the Town Hall.
Insp Kevin Evans, inspector for the city centre at Preston Police, said: “We have had extensive discussion with Luminar who manage Lava and Ignite and Squires nightclub.
“Due to our concerns regarding Lava and Ignite, this establishment has now been taken to review due to incidents of crime and disorder associated with the venue.”
Today he added that discussions were continuing with Lava and Ignite bosses to try and find a way forward.
News of the review comes after the Evening Post revealed earlier this week that incidents of drunken violence in Church Street increased between January and November 2012, compared to 2011, although violence in Preston overall continues to decrease.
Almost 100 incidents, including assaults, woundings and incidents causing alarm or distress, have been recorded in the street in that period.
Of those, 12 have been recorded at Lava and Ignite, most of them wounding offences. If the matter proceeds to a licensing hearing, councillors on the committee have the power to revoke a premises licence, suspend it, alter it or can choose to take no action.
The club currently has a licence to open to 4.30am seven days a week. Last week 53 Degrees, which was taken to a licence review by police after the theft of a number of mobile phones, was allowed to keep its licence with modifications suggested by club bosses, including more door staff.
A spokesperson from The Luminar Group which operates Lava & Ignite said: “Lava & Ignite is a well-run, professional and secure venue that over 160,000 people enjoy every year. The safety and security of our customers is and always has been our main priority and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Preston Police.
We are clear on what we need to do to ensure that we meet the licensing objectives so that our customers can continue to enjoy a safe night out.
We will continue to liaise with Preston Police, so that we can reach an agreement with them on the review application.”
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