POLICE have allowed the licence of a nightclub to be transferred, clearing the way for it to be re-opened.
Whispers on Regent Street was stripped of its licence in March under a review ordered by police because of poor management at the club after a man was stabbed last Christmas.
But nearly a year after the venue closed, licensing officers agreed to transferred the licence to David Michael Elphick, after months of legal wrangles between them, the police and former licence holder Chris Palmer.
Mr Palmer had appealed after the licence was revoked in March, but had to agree to a consent order with various, undisclosed, conditions, before he could be allowed to re-open the premises.
He then applied to transfer the licence, firstly to a man known only as Mr Potter, and secondly to Mr Elphick.
The Chronicle understands that the police initially objected, amid concerns there was no information disclosed regarding Mr Elphick and no reassurances given by either party connected to the venue.
In a report to the council’s licensing board which was due to sit last month and seen by the Chronicle, police said: “South Yorkshire Police still has serious concerns regards the management of this venue and ultimately who will remain in overall control.”
It also said: “Without the opportunity to meet and discuss further conditions we feel obliged to object to the transfer under the crime and disorder objective.”
That meeting was cancelled, but it has been revealed that happened after police were given ‘reassurances’ that the new applicant, Mr Elphick, had agreed to all of the conditions on the licence requested by the force.
The council spokeswoman said: “There is now no need for the hearing to go ahead as the licence will be granted with the conditions attached.”
At this stage the council spokeswoman said the local authority is not able to say what the conditions requested by police are, as they are part of the confidential consent order which may be considered commercially sensitive.
The premises licence for Whispers has now been transferred from Springchoice Leisure, a company owned by Mr Palmer, to Mr Elphick following an agreement between Mr Elphick and South Yorkshire Police.
The council spokeswoman said: “This transfer has reassured the police that the premises would be operated in compliance with the licensing objectives, hence why they withdrew their objection.”
She said from a licensing perspective the premises can now reopen. However, there is no designated premises supervisor named on the licence which means it would not be able to sell alcohol until such a person is appointed.
