Actor's nightclub in Weymouth shut down after police allegations of 'culture of drug use'
Dorset Police say their undercover investigations revealed alleged 'blatant and established' drug dealing taking place at the Weymouth nightclub
Last updated 13th Jan 2022
The licence for Actor's Bar and Club in Weymouth has been revoked following police investigations into drug dealers operating at the premises.
An undercover police operation found that the once 'Best Bar None' awarded establishment had an alleged culture of drug use and excessive alcohol consumption.
A Licensing sub-committee meeting was held yesterday, mostly behind closed doors, to discuss the sensitive allegations surrounding the bar.
Sergeant Gosling from Dorset Police referred to video submissions showing drug dealing was taking place. He said that door staff 'appeared to ignore the criminal activity and did not did undertake searches or check ID.'
The Police operation was instigated due to rising incidents of drink spiking in the county and uncovered serious problems with the supply of drugs associated with the premises.
Legal representatives of the bar owner, Mr Marseh, said he was 'appalled and disgusted' to see the evidence of what had taken place in Actor's bar.
The Sub-Committee was addressed by Mr Marseh’s Barrister, Mr Stuart Jessop.
Mr Jessop stated that his client felt let down by his staff and the security company which supplied the door staff, but he knew he was also responsible. Mr Jessop stated that Mr Marseh was committed to making sure that there was no repeat of these events and he asked the Sub-Committee to take Mr Marseh’s successful track record into account, together with the fact that Mr Marseh had been very unwell and absent from the Premises for a period of time.
In a bid to keep the license, the bar proposed installing new management and said it had already parted ways with the security firm it had been using.
New CCTV was planned for the bar in November, but the owner fell ill meaning this was unable to happen.
But Dorset Council say the licensing objectives to tackle crime were not being met, nor were they likely to be met by new management and security staff.
The bar can appeal the decision in the next 20 days but the bar will remain shut until an appeal decision is made.