Lulu's Purple Bar in Margate shut down
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by Karina Barker
A Margate bar promoted on Facebook as
being "good for kids" has closed, after police uncovered a
catalogue of drugs and other offences.
Lulu’s Purple Bar in Marine Terrace,
Margate was raided by police in December after reports that drugs
were being dealt on the premises.
They found traces of cocaine in 14
places, including the office, behind the bar, inside the till and
in the ceiling void of the cellar, which led police to believe that
the drug was being "widely handled" in non-public areas of the
bar.
A report submitted to Thanet Council’s
licensing sub-committee reveals that when officers entered the bar
at 11pm on December 17:
- One man was arrested after trying to swallow suspected
cocaine as police arrived. He was arrested and is on bail pending
forensic tests.
- An off-duty licensed door supervisor was given an
on-the-spot fine for possession of herbal cannabis.
- A barmaid was arrested and later cautioned for possession of
cocaine. Discarded cocaine wraps of the same type as those in her
possession were found on the floor.
- The DJ was arrested and cautioned for possession of
Amphetamine. When questioned he claimed to have bought the drugs at
Purple Bar.
- Ecstasy tablets were also found on the premises.
- Police search dogs indicated several areas where traces of
drugs were suspected, and swabs found cocaine in all but one
area.
- The dogs were unable to search the men’s toilets because a
"rancid stench" made it unsafe.
- A woman in fake Elvis sideburns had to be escorted from the bar
by police after she repeatedly swore at officers asking her to
leave.
Three men were also restrained by police, one on suspicion of
being drunk and two for acting aggressively.
The two later men were searched for drugs but none was
found.
The raid came after a number of visits by police and licensing
officers throughout the last six months of 2011.
The report to the sub-committee states that the licence had been
granted in 2005 and officers had had no concerns until last
summer.
In June last year, Louise Bottone took over the roles of
licensee and Designated Premises Supervisor, but officers expressed
concern that she was not available whenever they visited and staff
didn’t appear to have any contact details for her.
Officers first visited the bar in July after complaints of loud
music being played.
In August they visited again, and found the music was so loud it
could be heard in their police car 150ft away.
The fire doors were padlocked and the person in charge had
no licensing experience.
A letter was sent to the licensee, suggesting conditions to be
put on the licence to enable her to keep the bar open.
A reply was never received.
Police continued to receive reports of drug dealing and underage
drinking, and made several visits.
Louise Bottone wasn’t on the premises whenever officers
visited.
In another visit on October 28, officers found that none of the
staff was licensed.
Since the December raid police have requested that Thanet
Council revoke the licence of the bar.
The case is due to be heard on Tuesday (February 28) at
11am.
Last week, the licence was voluntarily surrendered - but
in accordance with the 2003 Licensing Act, an individual has 28
days to reapply for a surrendered licence, so the hearing will
still go ahead.
On the Lulu’s Purple Facebook page, under services, it reads:
“Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Good For
Kids.”
The full report is available to view on Thanet Council’s
website.
Wednesday, February 22 2012
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