Gatecrasher licence revoked

The management behind Gatecrasher in Leeds have vowed to ‘work together’ with West Yorkshire Police after having its licence revoked this week.

The police applied to the council to have the club shut down following the stabbing of an underage drinker at one of its We Play Vinyl club nights.

The club had already been forced to close for a week in January after police were concerned about a number of violent incidents.

The club released a statement, which said: "Both the council and West Yorkshire Police had previously acknowledged that Gatecrasher Leeds was a "well-run" venue outside of the Friday club nights.

"Gatecrasher acknowledges that its Friday night events had attracted a minority of undesirable elements, which led to an increase in general crime and disorder. These events, specifically We Play Vinyl nights, were cancelled with immediate effect. In addition all door-staff and management were replaced and Gatecrasher vowed to continue working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police and all interested parties to minimize crime and disorder and uphold the licensing objectives.

"Gatecrasher was satisfied that removing We Play Vinyl nights from the club would eliminate any associated incidents from the club but in order to ensure the complete safety of clubbers amended existing operational policies and procedures."

Simon Raine, managing director of Gatecrasher, said: "The safety of everyone who comes through our door is of the upmost importance and we have strengthened our operational policies and procedures following these events.

"Since the club opened in 2005, over one million people have come through the doors and the club has had an unblemished record to date. This is the first situation of this nature at a Gatecrasher venue. Gatecrasher is totally committed to business in Leeds and has a significant long-term financial investment in the city.

"Ultimately we want to work closely with the council and West Yorkshire Police to get this resolved. We all have the same goal - public safety is of paramount importance and we must work together on this."