ONE of Swindon’s most popular nightspots has avoided losing its licence after reaching a last minute deal with Wiltshire Police.

Tree Nightclub opened its doors in August last year and while it has quickly established itself as one of the most successful venues in the town, its first year of operation has been blighted by repeated incidents of drunkenness and violence.

In early October, Wiltshire Police asked the council to revoke the club’s licence and produced a file detailing more than 20 separate incidents where revellers were arrested either in, outside, or shortly after leaving the premises in Old Town’s Hoopers Place.

They also revealed that in September, a surprise inspection by a team from the Home Office discovered that some of the staff being employed at the venue did not have the right to work in the UK.

Earlier today, a licensing panel made up of three councillors was convened to consider Tree’s fate. But just minutes before the hearing got underway, a last minute deal was reached between the police and the club’s management which saw the request to revoke the licence withdrawn.

Sarah Le Fevre, the barrister acting for Wiltshire Police at the hearing, explained the history behind the initial application.

“Since the very early days of the operation of this premises there has been involvement by the police,” said Ms Le Fevre. “There has been a history of excessive intoxication at the premises and that has led, in some instances, to disorder and abuse. It has led to people exposing themselves to vulnerable situations and there is a very unhappy history of alcohol fuelled violence.

“Wiltshire Police felt they were left with no opportunity but to bring this premises and its licence to this committee to say that really, something needs to be done.”

Ms Le Fevre went on to explain that in the final hours before the hearing, an approach was made by Tree’s legal team putting forward a proposal to avert the worst case scenario of licence revocation.

The proposal consisted of a package of additional conditions to be added to the those the club is already required to adhere to. After some negotiation between the parties, the compromise was agreed to.

The new conditions include a requirement for every customer to be processed through an ID scanner, the wearing of bodycams by at least six door staff, the use of a breathalyser, further training for key staff around ‘responsible alcohol retailing’ and the employment of a paramedic at the venue.

The capacity will also be reduced from 900 to 800, an 11 per cent reduction in its trading capacity.

After hearing from both parties as to how the conditions would go towards improving security and reducing alcohol related disorder at or near the club, the licensing panel decided to approve the compromise deal.

The outcome was welcomed by Tree’s owner, Alan Mok.

He said: “We are really pleased to have reached an agreement with the police. We are grateful to the licensing authority for accepting our agreement.

“Since we opened our doors, over 200,000 people have come in to eat, drink and dance in this beautiful listed building.

“We are committed to continuing to improve our operation, in partnership with the police, to provide a first class, safe and welcoming environment.”