Owners of Platform 1 fined £30k for putting clubbers in danger

The owners and licence holder of Clifton, Bristol, nightclub Platform 1 have been fined £30,000 for putting clubbers in danger.

Checks at Platform 1 on Whiteladies Road found poor lighting for the emergency exit, making it a hazard. The club was also found to have not properly maintained its register of incident reports. The owners, licensee Clifclub Limited and manager Andrew Calvey pleaded guilty to three offences under the Licensing Act.

The court heard the emergency exit from the club led on to a 25ft landing area and down a steep stairway to the outside of the building.

The lack of lighting on the stairs meant licensing staff needed a torch to see, putting clubbers in danger in the event of an evacuation. But warnings to keep it well lit in March went unheeded.

City council cabinet councillor for neighbourhoods Guy Poultney said: "This club has shown absolute contempt for its customers.

"They knew there was a problem, they knew people were being put in danger, and they did nothing about it."

Magistrates ordered for costs of £1,250, a victim surcharge of £15 and gave Calvey a community order with unpaid work.