A Reading nightclub will remain shut for weeks after a fight required a large police presence.
The Gun Street Garden in Reading town centre is known as a late-night venue hosting DJs, musicians, professional dancers and bottle service to guests.
But the club has had trouble with Thames Valley Police after two alleged incidents that occurred during its ‘Playboy Mansion’ event on Easter Sunday.
The first, at 2am, allegedly involved a man throwing a hard plastic glass and punching a woman.
The second, at 3.07am, public disorder was reported that required a large police presence.
The licence was suspended in preliminary steps, effectively forcing the venue to close, ahead of the last weekend in April.
PC Declan Smyth pushed for the licence to be reviewed at a hearing of Reading Borough Council’s licensing applications sub-committee.
The meeting was held in private due to the discussion of exempt information.
A statutory consultation into the review saw a flood of support for the venue.
Angel Holmes wrote: “In my experience, Gun Street Garden is a well-managed venue. I feel safe when attending on a typical night and have always experienced nothing but good vibes and respect from both staff and other customers.
“The staff are incredibly kind-hearted, professional, and genuinely lovely, which creates a welcoming and positive atmosphere.
“It’s not just a place to enjoy a night out; it’s a great club for making friends and helping people get out of their comfort zones and socialise.
“It plays a huge role in bringing people together in a safe and fun environment, and is a venue that so many people rely on for their social wellbeing and enjoyment.”
Fellow clubber Niamh MacCafferty wrote: “Most of the nightclubs in Reading do not feel safe, but at Gun Street Garden you don’t have to worry about having a bad night as everyone working there is always on high attention and alert to what is happening within the club.
“They now do student nights, which is a cheap and fun way to spend time with your mates. The music is great, and if this club was gone there would be a lack of diversity in Reading club-wise.”
The venue also received support from councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh, Mayor of Swindon, who said the club operators also run a venue in his town that positively contributes to its cultural and social scene.
Ultimately, the committee decided to suspend the licence for five weeks, with activities allowed to resume on Tuesday, July 17.
The decision was made on Thursday, May 22, by councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church), Amjad Tarar (Labour, Battle) and Clarence Mitchell (Conservative, Emmer Green).
There will be no change in hours for the venue once the suspension is lifted, allowing club nights until 3am throughout the week and 2am on Sundays.
The owners have agreed to implement new conditions in an effort to meet the concerns raised by police.
Gun Street Garden had previously got into trouble in the winter of 2023 after cocaine and OxyContin were found in the toilets and an allegation that a security guard had injured a female clubber.
That triggered a licensing meeting in February 2024 that resulted in a temporary closure, and stricter licensing conditions were imposed on the venue.
Gun Street Garden was taken over by new ownership last summer and underwent a refurbishment in January.
