A nightclub in Wembley has been forced to close and had its licence suspended after a 24-year-old man was shot while sitting in a car nearby. The venue, Spice Klub, also known as VT Club and Basement, faces a full court hearing later this month.
Shooting prompts police action
Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 3.45am on Saturday, October 3, on Douglas Avenue. Upon arrival, they found a 24-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police applied to Brent Council for a closure order for Spice Klub, which is located on the same road as the shooting. The council granted the closure notice, and the venue must remain shut until at least October 20.
Licence suspended pending review
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Following a shooting in Wembley on Friday, 3 October, the Metropolitan Police applied to Brent Council for a closure order and an expedited review of the premises licence for Spice Klub, also known as VT Club and The Basement.
“The closure order was granted, and remains in force until Tuesday, 20 October, where the matter will be considered at a further hearing. The premises’ licence has also been suspended with immediate effect pending a full review hearing. The hearings will be held in private due to an ongoing criminal investigation.”
The council has separately suspended the venue’s licence with a view to holding a full licensing hearing, though no date for that hearing has yet been announced.
Council confirms legal proceedings
A Brent Council spokesperson said: “A Metropolitan Police application for an expedited review of the premises licence for Spice Klub (also known as VT Club and The Basement) was heard by Brent Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee on 15 October.
“The committee determined that the premises licence should be suspended with immediate effect pending a full review hearing.
“Separately, the magistrates’ court adjourned an application for a closure order to a full hearing on 20 October and directed that the closure notice remain in force until then. The premises must therefore remain closed unless otherwise directed by the court. The matter remains subject to ongoing legal and licensing proceedings.”
It has not been stated what connection, if any, the club had to the events surrounding the shooting. The full magistrates’ court hearing on October 20 will determine whether the closure order is extended.
