A Dundee nightclub has won its bid to extend its opening hours despite police warning doing so could lead to increased crime and disorder.
Members of Dundee City Council’s licensing board agreed to permit Industry to remain open until 3.30am between July 1 and 8 and July 20 and August 18.
The nightclub normally closes at 3am but claimed the extensions is necessary to capitalise on Broughty Ferry Gala Week and the Dundee trades holiday.
The club, owned by local businessman Tahir Ramzan, opens three days a week between Thursday and Saturday but is currently subject to an intervention plan by Police Scotland’s Tayside Division because of problems with underage drinkers and poor stewarding.
Iain Livingstone, acting chief constable, had put forward objections on behalf of the Force, claiming the extra hours would lead to a rise in crime.
But agent, Janet Hood said robust measures had been put in place to stop people under the age of 18 getting into the club.
She said: “The main issue was accessed by underagers coming through the back door.
“There is now a fence and two stewards and no underagers have been found to be accessing the premises through that door.”
She said Mr Ramzan had been “fully compliant” with the police.
Ms Hood added: “People need to be given an opportunity to improve what they are doing and an opportunity to trade.”
SNP councillor Ken Lynn said it would be unfair to reject the application.
He said the applicant had been called back to the board on the understanding they would be granted the licence if the steps they had taken to address issues by police were successful.
“We brought them back here on the basis that everything was dealt with between the last committee and this one. I’m not going to oppose the application.
“I thought we were unanimous at the last meeting. We said ‘come back in two months and we’ll see how it is going’. It seems to be going pretty well.”
But Labour councillor Brian Gordon said: “We have to support the police if they are still not feeling comfortable and that is the vibe I am getting.”
Mr Lynn also said the Board has to support Dundee’s night-time economy.
The 56-year-old said: “We don’t want to see Yuppies or Industry – I don’t know what it’s called now, I’m too old for nightclubs – to close because we on the wrong track.”
The six members of the board were split three-three on whether to grant the extended hours but chairman Stewart Hunter used his casting vote to give permission.
