Social club in Harlesden lodges appeal against its licence being revoked

A social club in Harlesden that had its licence revoked amid claims that drinkers were allowed to ‘fight it out’ has lodged an appeal to win it back.

Gwalia Working Men’s Club in Manor Park Road, is bidding to overturn the decision made by Brent Council after police compiled a damning dossier which claimed it breached four of its licensing objectives including prevention of crime and disorder or public nuisance.

Officers accused Gwalia’s chairman Brian Simmons of ‘clear mismanagement’ claiming he had allowed drinkers, who were predominately from the travelling community, to fight as it instead of calling the police as it allowed him to keep a £500 deposit fee paid to hire the venue.

They also claimed the violent clashes took place in the presence of children.

At one private engagement party last August, which the report states Mr Simmons denied ever taking place, the police arrived to find a group of travellers outside the club, several with “blood on their faces” and one man “lying in the road unconscious with what appeared a head injury”.

The bride-to-be called the police when the fight started saying people were getting injured and she feared for the children who were inside. She said her deposit had been retained even though she claimed her group had nothing to do with the fighting.

The police also claim CCTV was never supplied despite numerous requests.

Brent Council revoked Gwalia’s ‘club certificate’ licence in March and an appeal was lodged on April 20.

It can continue to serve alcohol pending the outcome of the appeal.