“Penfold - "a bit of a rum one". Now there is an understatement.......”

“Without comprimising any laws, the venue has been closed, not because someone happend to be attacked, but because of the events surrounding that attack..
Committee will only revoke a licence in these circumstances if the company is thought to have been negligent in their duty of care, or the actions of the company or its employees have contributed in some way to that persons injuries.
If for example, as has happened at other public venues a fire door was left chained, and someone died or was injured as a result, both the company, and the employee responsible would have failed in their duty of care. And possibly, in due course, criminal and/or civil proceedings may follow.
If a taxi driver ploughs down a pedestrian, they too, may depending on the circumstances, also have failed in their duty of care, and equally could well have their licence revoked.
Obviosly questions might be asked as to whether the taxi driver had deliberately set out to hit the pedestrain becuase of some earlier disagreement, or whether his involvment in the crash was purely by virtue of the fact he was in control of the vehicle at the time but had no way of anticipating what might happen, but could have possibly taken steps to minimise the risk to the public..
One might suggest suspending a licence for the latter to be rather heavy handed, where as for the prior, wholly appropriate.
I think it would be narrow minded of anyone to think the authorities have closed this place on a whim.
It has to be remebered the venue is owned by a large national chain, who did not object to the closure, and who, have in similar circumstances elsewhere in the country have worked with the authorities by changing their manner of operations at a venue, bringing in tighter management controls, and setting in place measures to reassure licensing stakeholders and the public.
These are early days, and obviously, as has been reported in the Grimsby Telegraph, a criminal investigation is underway, and at some point no doubt, charges will be brought and the reasons for the suspension of the licence will become clear.”

“I echo your thoughts Nat though I have to say Gavin was a bit of a rum one and hopefully he will come out of this a better person”

“Just want to send my love to Gavin and his family. Its sick what went on, hope they don't get away with it. I think it was right to shut it down as a man was almost beaten to death at the place, and may never be the same again. I hope that Gavin recovers and comes out of this as the same man he was.”

“I think the telegraph have reported really well on this story.. keep up the good work.. Shame about Flares and very much about Gavin.. Hope u get better soon.. my thoughts are with your family and friends right now.”