A CONTROVERSIAL nightclub which faced closure, has been given a six month probation period to improve crime and disorder in and around its premises.
But the move was met with frustration from residents who said they have been plagued by anti-social behaviour from nightclub revellers for 15 years.
The V2 nightclub, formally The Venue, on Lon Parcwr in Ruthin was summoned to a Denbighshire County Council licensing sub committee last Thursday following an application by North Wales Police to review its premises licence.
Nine residents from Prior Street and Canol y Dre, along with three county councillors, attended the meeting to express their experiences of anti-social behaviour ranging from clubbers urinating in their garden and waking them up, to discovering condoms and human excrement in their property after club nights.
The nightclub is owned by Birch House Business Centre in Ruthin, which in turn is run by the Turner Brothers.
A new licence holder and manager, Arwyn Hughes, was appointed by Birch House on October 13 to run the club.
Councillor Bobby Feeley said residents were dismayed to find out prior to the meeting that the new nightclub owner had already met with police to draw up 34 conditions they must abide by.
"But none of them apply to anti social behaviour outside the nightclub," said Cllr Feeley.
A police spokesman said that given the long standing difficulties with the club and the location they still wanted to hear from residents, but were happy with the new conditions agreed with V2.
Committee member Cllr Brian Blakeley said: "Reading through the letters from the residents... I feel the police have really let the residents down in this area."
Fellow committee member Cllr Peter Duffy: "It is disgusting and I am quite shocked and amazed at how long these problems have been going on, they are really quite serious."
Diane Roberts, a nurse, has lived in the street for 23 years with her husband who is a GP, said she has great concerns about the residents health deteriorating and the clubbers.
"I have had to stitch people up in my kitchen and drunks climb over my gate to get to my back door as they know about our profession," she said.
Upset local resident Kathy Banks said: “Yes we could move but at what financial cost?
“We would like to enjoy our weekends too but by having some peace and quiet in our own homes. There is no other estate in Ruthin who have to go through this week by week.”
A DVD with footage of anti social behaviour was compiled by the Community Safety Partnership and residents were angered this was not shown at the meeting.
A solicitor representing nightclub manager Arwyn Hughes said: “It would be wrong to review the current licence holder on the actions of his predecessor, that clearly would not be fair.
“I don't accept that there is a problem.
“There is no suggestion they (people disturbing residents) came from the club.”
A two to one majority verdict was announced by committee chairman Cllr John Bellis who said they had a difficult time coming to the decision.
The chairman said: "Any issue or breach within six months and the club will be brought back to the committee and reconsidered."
Any appeals against the decision must be taken to a magistrates court within 21 days.
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