Controversial Clubs Close their Doors

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Chateau 6 and The Crescent Club were both scenes of murders

Two controversial nightclubs, Chateau 6 on Fulham Broadway and The Crescent on North End Road have closed their doors.

Both clubs been the scene of murders. In July 2007, boxer James Oyebola, 47 was shot through the back of the neck at Chateau 6, which is opposite Fulham Broadway shopping centre, after asking customers to put out cigarettes.

Gunman Kanyanya Mulenga,23 was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2008.

After the shooting several stringent conditions were put on the premises' licence. But on February 13 this year, the club was at the centre of violence between Chelsea and Cardiff City football hooligans, who were seen throwing smoke bombs at police and running riot on Fulham and Kings Road.

The inspector in charge of policing the match became concerned about public safety in and around Chateau 6 that she closed it at half-time.

Last Tuesday, police took the case to West London Magistrates, who decided that the bar should remain closed until the Hammersmith & Fulham Council's licensing sub-committee can review the licence. This review is due to take place on Monday, March 1.

The Crescent Club, on the corner of North End Crescent in W14, has also closed down, with notices in the windows stating that the property is in the hands of bailiffs.

Last June, 32 year-old Ali Toprak was stabbed to death outside the club's entrance on North End Road following a Turkish themed evening there. Berkan Kart, 22, from Tottenham, will stand trial for his murder and violent disorder in March.

At the start of 2010, another man was stabbed on the street outside the bar in a mass brawl involving around 20 people.

The Crescent Club has been controversial since November 2008, when licensee Passion Night Ltd applied for a variation of the licence to turn the then Fox Tavern into a lap-dancing venue. This was refused by the council’s licensing sub-committee, who received more than 1,000 letters of objection from local people and a petition signed by 250 residents.

In the first six months of the Crescent Club opening, there were three separate reports suggesting that drugs were being used both inside and outside the club, according to police. There was also an increase in public nuisance and disorder, and the council received 20 complaints about noise.

Passion Nights Limited is now due to appear at Companies Court on February 24 for a winding-up hearing.

 

February 25, 2010