Weymouth nightclub has longer opening hours approved

But a request to reduce ID checks and searches has been refused

Author: Faye Tryhorn & Trevor Bevins - Local Democracy ReporterPublished 31st May 2023
Last updated 31st May 2023

A nightclub in Weymouth has been granted extended opening hours - but they can't reduce the number of ID checks and searches they carry out for customers.

Chic on Maiden Street reopened in July last year, having been closed since December 2021 due to police concerns about drug dealing.

Owner Parviz Panjalizadeh-Marseh has now been given permission to open until 3.30am, instead of 2.30am, following a Dorset Council licensing panel hearing.

They've also agreed to a change in door staff rules, which means that female club staff can carry out searches, if there isn't a registered female door staff member available.

But a request to reduce searches of customers from 100% to 80% has been refused, after objections from Dorset Police and Weymouth Town Council.

The panel also recognised that Mr Panjalizadeh-Marseh had worked with Dorset Police and licensing staff to address previous problems at the venue.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.