Havana nightclub fined £50,000

Wednesday 13 December 2017

Allegations of excessive drinking, a permanent police presence and a bad mix of music have all contributed to a local nightclub nearly losing its licence.

The Havana Club’s licence was reviewed by the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache after Jersey Police’s Licensing Unit put forward a report alleging that the St Helier nightclub had more anti-social incidents linked to it than any other club, despite being smaller in size.

The report highlighted 12 cases suggesting drunk and disorderly behaviour by club goers between 22^nd May, 2016, and 25^th March, 2017.

It stated that, “…on Friday and Saturday nights a disproportionate amount of police resources had to be detailed to the Havana Club to provide an almost permanent presence to deter anti-social behaviour and disorder.  Known trouble-makers were permitted entry time and again, some of whom even boasted in interview about receiving special treatment at the premises.”

The club’s website may boast about the range of music on offer, but the police on the other hand have criticised it saying, “...the Licensing Unit considered that the mix of music types – drum and bass on the one hand and European pop on the other – attracted two very different crowds which regularly resulted in problems at closing.” 

European Holdings Ltd – the license holder for Havana Club – first received a warning by the Solicitor General on 30^th March, 2015 after two men left the premises heavily intoxicated and were then victim to a serious assault.

Further incidents at the club have led to meetings with the Licensing Unit, but it was felt the nightclub had disregarded them and they were “not taken seriously."

The Havana Club has been ordered to pay a £50,000 fine, but its licence has not been suspended or revoked as numerous changes including dress code, style of music and door staff have all since been made.

An updated police licence report shows, “…that from July to October, the Havana Club is no longer the worst performing nightclub in terms of arrests, and for the period from August to October, it is no worse than the majority of the island clubs.  We are satisfied that Mr Young’s arrival at the Havana Club, and his appointment as manager, has indeed led to a considerable improvement."