Police close nightclub (From Stroud News and Journal)

Police close nightclub

STROUD police used emergency powers to close down JoJo's on Saturday night following a brawl between two women inside the Nelson Street nightclub.

Officers went to the club at 12.20am on Sunday morning after CCTV cameras spotted a disturbance in the street outisde.

Initially two women were arrested, then a further four men were detained.

Two men, both with badly beaten faces, then told the police they had been assaulted inside the club.

At this point Inspector Mac McGarry, Stroud's senior police officer, took the decision to close down the club for the night.

130 clubbers were made to leave and dispersed peacefully.

Another two men were arrested at 8am the following morning in connection with the disorder.

"The situation outside the nightclub was such that we had very real concerns for the safety of the public and our officers," said Insp McGarry.

"This is believed to be the first time such a closure notice has been issued in Gloucestershire but in the circumstances at the time it was felt that it was the only option."

But Guiseppe Merlino, proprietor of the club, said he saw matters differently.

"There were a couple of women fighting on the premises, we ejected them and my staff were back on the door within two minutes, that's all it was," he said.

"Afterwards the police had people taking photographs and their forensic people here but there was not a drop of blood on the premises."

"I made a big loss on the night."

Mr Merlino said admission at his club would be half price next Saturday to make up for the trouble.

But there is a chance his promise of a discount may be premature.

Police have informed licensing magistrates of the closure order and a court hearing will follow in due course.

After hearing the evidence magistrates may decide to take no further action or they could order the club to remain closed until they are happy that arrangements have been made to protect public safety.

If they wish to take more extreme action the magistrates have the power to revoke the club's licence, closing it down completely.

Any witnesses to the fracas on Saturday night are asked to call Stroud police on 0845 0901234.