Kingston nightclub Oceana’s licence has been revoked for 14 days after a man was fatally stabbed there last Thursday.
The Metropolitan Police requested that the nightclub’s licence be reviewed following the death of 20-year-old Jamie Sanderson in the early hours of Thursday morning, and an emergency licensing meeting was held at Kingston Guildhall the next day.
Councillor Derek Osbourne, Leader of Kingston Council, said: ” We will act on any lessons to be learned from this sad episode, including a call to review the licensing of this local venue.”
Another meeting will be held at a currently undisclosed date to discuss the situation further. At this meeting, the club will be able to make representations. There is a possibility that their licence could be removed permanently.
Oceana escaped closure in November last year when owners Luminar Group Holdings plc went into administration after making losses of £198m in the preceding financial year. They were forced to close 11 of their 75 venues, but the £8.5m Kingston nightclub was able to remain open.
Now questions are once more being raised about Oceana’s future. A Facebook group entitled “Shut down Oceana Kingston” has attracted over 2,000 likes, and people have also commented on the club’s own Facebook page calling for it to be closed permanently.
Kristina Hodgkinson wrote: “Hopefully they will never open again!”
This sentiment was echoed by many Facebook users, although there was debate between them and those who were anxious for the club to re-open.
Oceana Kingston opened in 2003 and has a capacity of 2,500.
