POLICE have moved to permanently shut the high-profile nightclub and arts venue outside which a woman was found unconsciousat the weekend.

An emergency meeting will be held by licensing chiefs tomorrowmorning to determine what, if any sanctions, The Arches in Glasgow faces.The venue could lose its alcohol licence, effectively shutting it down, as early as Wednesdsay lunchtime

Police Scotland submitted a request for a closure orderto the city's licensing board after a total of 26 people around the venue on Saturday night were reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged drugs and alcohol offences. A member of staff is understood to be amongst those reported.

A closure order has not right of appeal. However, the licensing board can decide on its own sanctions.

Police Scotland had served an emergency closure notice on the premises on Saturday night.

It is the second time in a year The Arches has faced a fight to stay open after the club was linked to the death of an underage schoolgirl last February.

Sanctions could range from total revocation of its licence, a suspension for a defined period of time or the imposition of new conditions.  

The Arches has previously claimed the incident where the 30-year-old woman was found outside the venue in the early hours of Sunday was an "alcohol related episode".

Although the call by Police Scotland for sanctions after the death of 17-year-old Regane MacColl last year found there were no failings by management, it is expected to face tougher battle for its licence given the number of alcohol-related incidents at the weekend.

But one source said: "It'll be very difficult for the Arches on the basis this was related to overconsumption, most likely within their premises. They changed their policy to over21s after the last incident following police recommendations but then changed it back.

"If this comes down to the Arches serving drunks you'd expect at least a lengthy suspension to follow."

Another said: "This is particularly bad timing for the Arches after the emergence in recent days of conspicuous overconsumption and 'unenforced laws'. If this doesn't get a licence canned, nothing will."

A spokesman for the licensing board said: "A complaint from Police Scotland has been received and it will be considered at a meeting of the board at 10am tomorrow.

"Obviously, it would be inappropriate to comment ahead of the meeting."

 

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "There were 15 people reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged drugs offences and a further 11 in connection with alleged alcohol breaches.

"We have also submitted a report to the licensing board."

Any sanction will again depend on whether the licensing board considers The Arches could have done anything within reason to prevent the collapse and alleged offences.

Police Scotland is expected to argue the venue's licence should be reviewed as it has breached conditions on preventing crime and disorder and securing public safety.

The Arches also houses an acclaimed arts venue, which, although part-funded by the public purse, relies on cash from its nightclub for the bulk of its revenue. If its alcohol licence were axed it would cast serious doubts over its ability to continue operating.

The woman found on the street at around 12.40am had later discharged herself from hospital. The woman and a significant number of those attending the event were severely inebriated when police arrived and some appeared to be under the influence of other substances, police said on yesterday.

Arches spokeswoman Georgia Riungu said yesterday: "The Arches can confirm that, in consultation with Police Scotland on the night, Saturday's GBX club was closed earlier than advertised. We would like to clarify that our robust zero tolerance policy, including all additional measures recently agreed with Police Scotland, were in force on the night."