Nightclub wins extension to 5am
AMAIDSTONE nightspot has been allowed to stay open till 5am at weekends, despite the police arguing that it was likely to result in more drink-fuelled incidents on the streets. Babylon Live Lounge – which opened last March on the site of the former Zebra bar in King Street – specialises in private func- tions such as birthdays, christenings and weddings. The management told the licens- ing sub-committee that safety and security is "paramount". The police, however, argued that the
number of call-outs to the area had in- creased significantly since September when Babylon started to promote itself as a venue for private functions. Mid Kent Police licensing officer PC Neil
Leisure Learning puts the emphasis on fun
MAIDSTONE Community Support Centre in Mar- sham Street is offering Leisure Learning courses for thosewho have a learning disability or are dis- advantaged in some other way. The centre has de- signed courses for those who would benefit from a gentle introduction to a subject. Joan Curtis, Leisure Learning manager, said:
“We made a good start in December by running courses based around Christmas. We had great fun making bead jewellery for gifts and a variety of Christmas decorations and cards. “We firmly believe learning should be fun;
these courses help aid confidence and allow stu- dents to meet new people”. For the New Year the centre is widening its
short courses to include art, singing, keep fit, cook and eat and bead jewellery. Bookings are being taken now.
For more information, phone Joan on 01622 230711 or look at the website
www.mcsc.org.uk
Barnes urged the sub-committee to adjourn the matter for six months, to allow time for a review. But members were advised that a deferment was not within their powers and granted the extension, with a number of conditions. Babylon can now open Sunday to
Wednesday 9am-2.30am (bar to close at 2am) and Thursday-Saturday 9am-5am(bar to close at 4am). The police report stated there had been 13
incidents near the venue (within 75m) be- tween March and November, mainly for drunken behaviour, damage and fighting. But the Velani family, which owns the
property, said Babylon was closed when six of the 13 logged incidents had happened. PC Barnes argued the police were op-
posed to the extra-hours application as there was a "distinct" increase in the num- ber of calls (seven) in the vicinity of the club since September when it opened for private hire and started to attract greater numbers. And, he added, the rate of incidents was
higher than at Beluga bar in Bank Street where customer numbers were more than double Babylon's. PC Barnes said they had just one call-out to Breeze, in Middle Row, between October and Christmas. Earlier, Dean Velani told the sub-commit-
tee, chaired by former mayor, Cllr Peter Parvin: "We are a responsible and diligent business looking to compete in a very crowded market." He argued the hours extension would give Babylon "an edge" in that market. They had
suffered a "significant loss of bookings" because of their cur- rent hours. He said Babylon had a state- of-the-art security system. There are 33 cameras compared to four previously. They use a tightly controlled, wristband admittance policy and a strict, guestlist-only entrance scheme. Anumber of adults also have to accompany under-18s. His father, Kirit Velani said
they run popular nights for young bands as well as parties for the East European and Nepalese communities. After the sub-committee granted the application, Mr Ve- lani snr. said: "It gives our busi- ness model an opportunity to actually work in Maidstone."
ALL TYPES OF ROOFING DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL
• High performance felt roofs • New & old roofs
• Single ply membrane
• Glass fibre & rubber membrane roofs • Leadwork Undertaken
• All types of tiling - Kent Pegs, slate etc • Repairs • Liability Insurance
• 10/15 yrs guarantee • Asphalt roots
Professional & personal service - Free Quotations 01233 630601
07831 643886
www.southernandcountryroofing.co.uk To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56