A Basildon nightclub manager has vowed to fight a decision to refuse him a public entertainment licence.

Yum Yum nightclub, which was refused the licence by Basildon Council, is now preparing to appeal to Basildon magistrates.

Ray Kissoon, manager and liquor licensee of the Paycocke Road club, said he has 21 days to appeal to the courts over the decision - and he can legally run Yum Yum as a nightclub from the moment he lodges that appeal.

The council voiced concerns after being told the safety certificates for fire extinguishers and electrical wiring and lighting had not yet arrived. It claimed public safety was the main factor in their decision to turn down the licence renewal.

Mr Kissoon said: "I attended the council's central area meeting where they turned down our application to renew and transfer the public entertainment licence from the owner to my name.

"While it was quite a fair hearing I still feel some of the objections made by the police were unfair. I'm not saying we've never made mistakes but those mistakes have been rectified.

"We are now using a registered doorstaff company which is recognised by the police and we have a log book for the number of persons on the site.

"It was just the fire extinguisher and electrical wiring and lighting certificates not being in our possession that stopped us, despite us having. We expect them to arrive today or tomorrow, so there should be no problem when we go to the appeal."

A spokesman for Basildon Council admitted the club had three weeks from receipt of the council's informing them of the refusal to renew, to lodge an appeal.

He said: "At the end of the three weeks, if they have not lodged the appeal then they must close in terms of the public entertainment licence. They can still operate as a public house, but not a nightclub."

It's not over - Yum Yum manager Ray Kissoon is preparing to appeal over a council decision to turn down a public entertainment licence renewal

Picture STEPHEN LLOYD

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