West London Nightclub’s Licence Revoked Following Gun Incident

The operating licence for a west London nightclub has been withdrawn subsequent to a firearms incident occurring on its premises. This action follows an event on 13 October, when a health and safety officer, present at the location due to prior safety concerns, observed the shooting. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, acting as the local licensing authority, stated that neither a reduction in operating hours nor an alteration of existing conditions would adequately resolve its apprehensions regarding the establishment. Ricco Lounge expressed that it “fundamentally disagrees” with the ruling and intends to lodge an appeal. The Met Police had earlier urged the council to mandate the club’s permanent closure. Law enforcement officials reported that the club’s management took four days to notify them about a patron carrying a firearm on 13 October, despite having knowledge of this fact hours prior to the incident. Furthermore, police indicated that security personnel at Ricco’s permitted entry to customers without conducting searches, others gained access without adequate identification verification, and at least one individual presented identification belonging to someone else. The council asserted that the club was responsible for “serious failings” which it deemed “totally unacceptable,” adding that it was “more by luck than judgement” that no fatalities or severe injuries occurred. A representative for the council’s licensing committee stated that, based on a police review, the event potentially included “the discharge of at least one and up to four firearms.” The spokesperson further commented, “The trigger incident was a serious crime and the management failings and breaches of conditions were so serious.” Subsequently, one individual has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, along with violent disorder. The Met disclosed that the same management had previously operated another nightclub which closed in February 2022 after a triple stabbing incident. Ricco Lounge had put forward a proposal to voluntarily cease operations for three months to recruit and train a new management and security team.