Nightclub interiorA Shropshire nightclub has had its licence revoked after undercover police discovered a catalogue of problems including street brawls, disorder and under-age drinking.Brileigh’s, in Oakengates, is claimed by police to be Telford’s top hotspot for night-time trouble. It now faces permanent closure after Telford & Wrekin Council used tough licensing powers for the first time.

Police say they have a good relationship with the vast majority of pubs and clubs but warn they will not hesitate to take action against licensees who fail to work with them in future.

The decision to revoke Brileigh’s licence was taken by the council’s licensing committee following a two-day closure order last July after a brawl in which three people were injured.

Since then, the club’s future has been under review.

Paul Homersley, police licensing officer for Telford & Wrekin, said Oakengates had become the focal point for alcohol-related crime and disorder and under-age drinking in the borough.

Chief Superintendent Peter Robinson, head of Telford police, had therefore given the go-ahead for police to work covertly in Oakengates venues during November.

Mr Homersley said: “Brileigh’s was identified as the main cause for concern. We were getting a lot of problems with poor management there, especially under-age drinking.

“Youngsters aged under 18 were allowed in without challenge and young people and adults were getting very drunk on cheap drink promotions. People were being chucked out unceremoniously by staff and left fighting in the street.”

He added: “Unfortunately, attempts to work with the owners were in vain so we decided to take the ultimate sanction under the new Licensing Act.”

The licensee Haroon Rashid and premises supervisor Lee Griffin now have 21 days in which to lodge an appeal and the club is meanwhile allowed to stay open.

No-one was at the club today to comment.

Mr Homersley said Brileigh’s originally opened in 2005 as a private members’ club and operated without problems. It became a nightclub in 2006.

By Peter Johnson