Local residents, supported by local Councillors, have persuaded the Council not to grant the FIRE nightclub at Vauxhall Cross permission to have extra capacity by expanding into adjacent arches. The club at the moment can hold 1,435 people and FIRE wanted to increase this by 25%.
Residents (and councillors) have stressed that they did not oppose the club itself being in operation, but nearby streets have had problems with anti-social behaviour and nuisance on club nights including taxi touts operating at all hours and there was a strong concern that any expansion in numbers would make matters worse. There were 30 objections received by the council from local people - which is a significant number.
One resident reminded the Council's Licensing Committee that when FIRE was closed two years ago for a 6 week period following a drug raid by the police, the area was far more peaceful at night; so it was not a problem caused by other clubs in the Vauxhall Cross area.
Councillor Andrew Sawdon spoke on behalf of one objector, along with 3 other local residents.
