Weston club facing closure denies criminal links
The owner of Club Freelove says none of the allegations made against it are true
The owner of a nightclub in Weston Super Mare that's facing several serious allegations against it, has denied them all, as it faces losing its licence.
Earlier this week it emerged Avon and Somerset Police want Club Freelove on the Boulevard to close.
The venue opened in July 2021 and planned to include a mocktail bar for people who can't drink alcohol and to open some daytimes to provide free lunches for the elderly.
But it now faces forced closure as the police claim, among other things, that it could have links to organised crime.
What's alleged?
In March 2022, the police state that a man punched another individual in the club and then was stabbed when he went outside, injuring his arm.
The man stabbed refused to cooperate with the police and they believe the incident was related to organised crime.
Later that year in June, police said that a man in a stab-proof vest and carrying a metal pole went to Club Freelove.
He said: “Tell … to pay me my money or I’ll burn this place down and shoot it up with my AK47.”
He then drove off in a car connected to a gang member and was later arrested and plead guilty to possession of Class A drugs.
On top of that, the force say that when investigating a sexual assault they "had issues" obtaining CCTV footage from the club until they threatened to seize the entire CCTV system, that a bouncer was caught having sex in the toilets and that on the same night, during an 18th birthday party, a girl aged under 16 was filmed being served alcohol.
Now though, with a licencing hearing due to take place tomorrow, Gem the club owner has denied all the allegations against it.
The rebuttals
"The Club has never had any incidents, links or associations to criminal activities," Gem tells us in a statement.
"The incident in March did not happen outside our venue, although we did provide assistance including emergency first aid, calling both emergency services and the man was aided by our bouncer who was praised by paramedics on his quick response and knowledge of first aid and we assisted the police with full CCTV of both outside and inside cameras with associated incident report."
Regarding the June incident, Gem again refutes the police's version of events, saying the alleged threat came from a "disgruntled group" who made a comment about not paying when they realised the club night was chargeable.
"...after a short verbal conversation between the group and our door staff the car left and we understand was later pulled over," Meg said.
"The group had no prior or ongoing connection to the club and did not come into our club."
On the sexual assault investigation Meg tells us the venue cooperated immediately and "at no point" did the police threaten to seize the CCTV equipment.
She also adds the alleged assault itself did not happen in Club Freelove.
Perhaps most notably though, Gem denies all the allegations regarding the 18th birthday party, even saying she has CCTV footage which can prove the venue's innocence and that it was the partygoers themselves who caused problems.
"We have evidence to show our bouncers did not attend the bathrooms during the 3 hour party," she says.
"No members of staff is seen to use the facilities."
She claims many of the issues arose because the birthday girl's mother had promised her daughter things that had not been agreed including an "unlimited supply of alcohol".
"The atmosphere was tense between the mother and daughter and this is clearly demonstrated by a constant arguing between them," she says.
"The birthday girl can be seen trashing the VIP bar, throwing plates and bowls (full with food) all over floors, bar and seating areas.
"At this point on checking CCTV we can confirm this is when the sister and aunty of birthday girl are sent to bar by a man who proceeds to video the interaction of them purchasing 1 drink...
"This drink is then immediately passed to (the) man filming who then is seen going from table to table...
"We have full CCTV to demonstrate this period of time.
"We also have full CCTV covering our toilets and can ensure you no member of staff or party attendees were or have ever done such a disgusting claim with our toilets."
A hearing to discuss the club will take place before North Somerset Council’s licensing committee in Weston Super Mare town hall on Thursday (January 12).