Two directors of a company set up to re-open a Peterborough nightclub have been described by Cambridgeshire police as being “irresponsible operators”. The tough assessment was made by licensing officer PC Paul Hawkins ahead of an application by Nubia Lounge Bar Ltd for a new premises licence for 24b Lincoln Road, Peterborough.
“They both have track records of non-compliance and are irresponsible operators, despite support and advice from local authority departments, fire and police over the years,” he said.
A licensing subcommittee will determine the application on January 8.
When the company applied for the license Elizabeth Maria Jesus Goncalves Figueira was shown as being the intended designated premises supervisor.
Her co-director at the time of the application was a former owner of the club, Carlitos Balde, although filings at Companies House on December 6, 2024, reveal he stepped down as a director on January 1, 2024. Mr Balde was shown as the sole proprietor and director of the company when he set it up 2 months earlier.
PC Hawkins says checks made via Companies House show Mr Balde has previously been involved with premises: Noir 2018 Ltd, incorporated 15th May 2018, dissolved 22nd October 2019; he was the sole director.
On October 30, 2019, a new company, Noir Lunch Bar Limited, with Mr Balde as sole director, was dissolved on May 17, 2022.
“In January 2021 Cambridgeshire Constabulary applied for a review of the Noir Lunch Bar Ltd premises licence, due to Mr Balde’s blatant disregard of the Covid restrictions, having opened the premises for licensable activities to members of the public,” said PC Hawkins.
“During the investigation into the Covid breaches, Mr Balde, was deceitful in his responses to the police and council officers.”
He will remind the committee that the review at the time brought due to Mr Balde’s disregard of all four of the licensing objectives: • The prevention of crime and disorder; • Public safety; • The prevention of public nuisance; and • The protection of children from harm.
“Prior to the licensing hearing date, Mr Balde decided to willingly surrender the premises licence held under Noir Lunch Bar Ltd.”
Turning to Ms Figueira he says she has previously licensed the same premises: Vibe Lounge Bar & Shisha Ltd, incorporated 22nd April 2021, dissolved 3rd October 2023. She was the sole director.
“Ms Figueira applied for Vibe’s premises licence in September 2021 and was successful in obtaining the premises licence,” says PC Hawkins.
“On 25th November 2021, Peterborough City Council licensing and police licensing attended the premises and carried out a routine licensing inspection, post opening. The inspection discovered several breaches of conditions, Shisha being used inside the premises and concerns regarding fire safety.”
A later check, this time involving Cambs Fire and environmental protection, confirmed conditions were still being breached.
The city council issued a closure notice after fire safety and fire risk assessments “deficiencies” were found to be still outstanding.
“Concerns were also raised about the outside smoking structure and that it may require planning permission,” he says.
Closure remained until August 25, 2022, when it was agreed licensing conditions were being met although fire safety issues remained.
On 31st October 2023, a city council and police visit followed reports of the club remaining open after licensed hours and Ms Figueira received a written warning.
On 2nd November 2023, the premises licence lapsed due to Vibe Lounge Bar & Shisha Limited being dissolved and the premises licence not being transferred.
“Cambridgeshire Constabulary have concerns that the directors of Nubia Lounge Bar Ltd, will not uphold the licensing objectives or any of the conditions submitted with the licence application,” says PC Hawkins.
“There is genuine concern as to Mr Balde and Ms Figueira suitability to operate any licensed premise and ask that the licensing sub-committee refuse the application.”
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue also have concerns about the fresh application.
In a letter to the city council, it says: “We have ongoing fire safety concerns with this premises due to alterations that have been made to the rear shared back yard.”
A fire officer who visited the premises last year says that “it was noted that a structure had been built to cover the whole of the rear back yard area.
“This has been built without planning permission or any consideration to fire safety.
“I’ve subsequently told the owner that this area should not be used by the public and that they should either demolish the structure or retrospectively apply for planning permission”.
The officer says the city council building control have since visited to give the owner “the same advice but as far as I am aware the matter has not been resolved and the structure is still in place”.
A city council officers report to the committee says that “whilst this is an application for a new premises licence the premises has held a number of licences since 2005.
“The licences up until 2018 were applied for and granted to a number of different applicants for usages including a night club and pool hall. All of these licences were either surrendered or the licence lapsed due to the licence holder company being liquidated or dissolved at Companies House”.
The report adds the police and fire officer’s findings raise “concerns that the directors of Nubia Lounge Bar Ltd, will not uphold the licensing objectives or any of the conditions submitted with the licence application”.
The licensing committee has the following options:
- Decide to grant the licence in the same terms as it was applied for.
- Decide to grant the licence, but to modify or add conditions (to promote the licensing objectives).
- Exclude from the scope of the licence a licensable activity.
- Decide to refuse to grant the licence.
Three councillors are expected to hear the application: Cllr Chris Wiggin (chair), Cllr Jason McNally and Cllr Gavin Elsey.
