??/??/?? - Raquels club to be relaunched

BASILDON nightclub Raquels’ entertainments licence has been renewed prior to, its grand relaunch as Club Uropa Essex in December.

But strict security guidelines have been imposed to prevent the premises from being used for the sale of drugs. Essex Police and Basildon Council imposed a number of special conditions before granting a licence to owners European Leisure (Retail) as a sign of its commitment to running a “valued asset" and improvirig its image. Council spokesman Viv Hotton, said: "The licence was agreed following long talks between ourselves, the club owners and the police.

The undertakings they have made have satisfied us that the club is ready to reopen on December 5".

Last week the Central Basildon Area Committee agreed to renew the club’s entertainments licence. This was under the new condition that video tapes of people entering the premises were to be kept for 30 days instead of the current 72 hours. Council bosses also imposed a high-tech identity card admission system to enable staff to immediately identify people entering the club.

A newly employed doorstaff secrity team will be trained on the prevention of drug abuse under the guidelines of the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association They must also have completed a special training course ran by the council and Essex Police. A first-aid and paramedic room will also be introduced, with an onsite paramedic present during opening hours. Police will be notified of all upcoming events, and a lockable cabinet will be provided for confiscated items.

European Leisure operations director Colin Ball, said: “We are thankful for the time afforded to us by officers of the council and the police to discuss the best way forward. "We are content to operate under the proposed conditions and hope to restore the club to its position as a valued asset in Basildon”.

But Jack Aworer of the Beacon Trust drugs advisory and counselling body opposed the news: " Any place that has a reputation for the supply of drugs on the premises does not get my support."