Cops seek action against Brixton's Fridge after booze found at teen disco

Thursday, 13 August 2009

Greg Truscott

POLICE have called for an iconic nightclub’s licence to be reviewed because alcohol was allegedly found at a teenage disco.

Officers have asked councillors on Lambeth’s licensing sub-committee to review the licence of the Fridge Club in Brixton after underage teens were alleged to have been found drunk.

Licensing cops visited the club on June 14 while an “over-16’s” night was taking place at the nightspot in Town Hall Parade.

Officers served a 24-hour closure order on the premises, alleging management “had little or no control” over the event where it was claimed teens under the age of 18 were discovered intoxicated.

Officers also alleged “an empty spirit bottle” had been found inside the venue.

The licensing subcommittee will review the licence this week.

Licensing councillors have the power to close the club or impose new conditions on its operation.

A report to the committee published last week said it was not clear “what outcome” the police were seeking from the review hearing, which will take place at the borough’s town hall on Thursday morning.

The police have closed the club on two previous occasions in the past three years.

It was shut down in May, 2006, after a drugs raid.

On that occasion, licensing councillors imposed 27 new conditions on its premises licence at a review hearing.

It was also closed in February last year after an alleged assault within the premises.

A further five conditions were imposed on its licence afterwards.

The Fridge is considered one of the most iconic nightclubs in the UK.

It was opened after the Brixton Riots by Andrew Czezowski and Susan Carrington, founders of the legendary Roxy Club in the West End which was central to the rise of punk rock in the late 1970s.

Over the years it has hosted performances by acts including the Pet Shop Boys, Eurythmics and Soul II Soul.

The duo had a break from running the club in 2004, but took back the management and ownership last November and hope to reignite its reputation as a famous live music venue.

Mr Czezowski said he preferred not to comment ahead of the licensing hearing.

Email: greg.truscott@slp.co.uk

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1 comments on this news item

Posted by : Eddie, Brixton | Friday 21/Aug/2009 | Report this comment

Shops and locals must be supplying booze to kids in Brixton. Stop that and you stop the trouble.

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