'Eight people have lost their jobs' - Blackpool bar Notorious vows to fight closure order following stabbing

The owners of a Blackpool bar which was shut down following a stabbing plan to fight the closure order.

Council chiefs revoked Notorious' licence after a special hearing this week. The decision followed a temporary closure ordered by police after a man in his 30s received serious stab wounds in a fight at the Queen Street venue. Another man was hit on the head with a bottle in the incident.

Police also said the bar was operating outside the terms of its licence by serving drinks in glass containers and should have been closed for the night when they were called out at 4.15am. However, the management of the bar plans to appeal against the closure order.

And they claim that similar actions by Lancashire Police could "destroy" the resort's nightlife.

‘We don't believe we have done anything wrong’

Cristian Putaru, who is listed as a "person with significant control" on Notorious' listing at Companies House, said he would be prepared to have a sit down meeting with police to discuss what the bar had done wrong. And he says his bar has been punished for a single knife crime incident when "there is trouble all over town".

He said: "We have done nothing wrong. We were doing our best to bring visitors to Blackpool and generate money for the town. Now, because they have closed us down, we have eight people without jobs.

"We are looking at how we can appeal against this decision, which we believe is unfair. If we are to be closed down, then what about other bars and clubs in the town? If the police carry on like this Queen Street will be empty.

"We don't believe we have done anything wrong. I would like to sit down with the police, so they can tell us exactly what they want and we will do it. I believe the police have been too harsh with us. If they continue like this there will be no nightlife left and where will that leave Blackpool?"

But Lancashire police have warned that firm action will also be taken against other venues breaking the rules. Police licensing Sergeant Nat Cox described the situation at Notorious on the night of the stabbing as "unacceptable".

He said: "Good nights out start with safe spaces and, unfortunately, Notorious Bar was deemed unsuitable to continue trading and their licence was revoked. The premises were a cause for concern in our community and the violent incident last month resulted in people needing hospital treatment.

"This situation was entirely unacceptable and we requested a licence review which, ultimately, led to it being revoked and the premises being closed. I hope this reassures our communities that we will pursue every possible avenue to protect public safety.

"I also hope it serves as a clear warning to other licensed venues that firm action will be taken whenever concerns arise."

‘We would all like to feel safe on nights out’

Police claimed the stabbing on April 18 might never have happened if Notorious had cooperated with an investigation into the visit of a Manchester gang to the venue in February, demanding money owed for drugs. They say Notorious failed to provide adequate CCTV from the night.

In his report to Blackpool Council, Sgt Cox said footage supplied was not in any format they could view. However, Mr Putaru said the club fully cooperated with the investigation and had received no further visits from officers until the stabbing.

Meanwhile, the bar owners posted an online statement on Friday claiming they had been unfairly treated and made an example of by the police and council. It read: "We would all like to feel safe on nights out, but how can people feel safe if those involved are still out partying in other venues a month after the incident?

"If incidents like this continue happening across Blackpool, then how exactly are nights being made safer by shutting down one small venue? It feels like too much focus is being placed on making an example of a smaller business instead of properly dealing with the people responsible for the violence and the wider safety issues happening across the town."

A 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene on April 18, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He was quizzed and released on bail while police continue their investigations.