Following the stabbing of five men outside the Niche nightclub in July, South Yorkshire Police approached the Sheffield Licensing Board to undertake a review of the club’s licence. The licensing board suspended the club’s licence until a full hearing could be held.

The review showed instances where criminal gangs from other parts of the country caused problems at the premises, public order incidents, the use of weapons, poor searches by staff, under-age people entering the club and complaints of drug taking.

At the hearing, yesterday (12 August 2010) Sheffield Licensing Committee allowed the club to open, but imposed a number of stringent conditions.

Chief Superintendent Andy Barr’s said: “We have worked hard with the licence holder to improve safety measures at the club. The police and the licensing board aim to protect people who want a good night out in Sheffield. Last year Sheffield was judged the safest core city in the country and we want it to stay that way.”