Early night for Ghost nightclub

Published: 28 May 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

THE owner of a nightclub where a man was shot has won back control of his business after a court battle with Islington Council.

District Judge Robin McPhee ruled that David Serlui, who was the “designated premises supervisor” (DPS) for Clerkenwell club Ghost, until an Islington Council licensing committee removed him from the position – should be allowed to continue in the post.

But at an appeal hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ court yesterday (Thursday) Judge McPhee upheld the council’s decision to strip the club of its 24-hour licence. It will now have to close at 1.30am.

Ghost’s all-night licence was taken away by a council licensing review committee in January after a man was shot in the spine on the premises in December.

Police argued Mr Serlui had lost control of the club to his own door staff, who tried to hide the shooting from officers. Police said the victim had known gang connections and that one member of the door staff had a threat on his life.

Judge McPhee ruled that Mr Serlui had always co-operated with police and the council, had taken extraordinary measures to appease residents who complained of disturbance, and could not be blamed for the actions of his door team.

However, he said residents had suffered noise and disturbance from the club since before the shooting and that 1.30am was a reasonable time to close.

Judge McPhee said: “I find Mr Serlui to be an impressive witness. I find him to be open, honest and cogent. I’m quite satisfied that the appellants were prepared to change the door team.”

He said he did not consider the licensing committee wrong to curb the club’s hours but commended Mr Serlui’s personal conduct, reinstating him as the DPS. 

Mr Serlui was ordered to pay £11,000 in court costs.