Furys is ordered to close

Dec 20 2008 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

A BUSY Paisley nightclub which has been plagued by bloody violence and a string of security breaches has been ordered to close its doors.

Licensing chiefs have taken the tough action against Fury Murrys disco in Shuttle Street after being asked to step in by worried cops, who have grown increasingly concerned about what has been going on there.

And police hope that, by suspending Fury Murrys’ licence for a month, it will send out a warning to other pub and club bosses that they must make sure their venues are safe and well run.

In September, three people ended up in hospital following an incident at Fury Murrys, with some terrified clubbers screaming in horror as fighting broke out around them.

Other problems at the popular disco have included:

l security staff failing to search people for weapons as they enter the club, despite having hand-held metal detectors;

l potentially lethal weapons, including a machete, combat knife and hammer, being smuggled inside by revellers;

l and a failure to use the radio link system to alert cops and other pub and club staff to potential trouble.

A meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s Licensing Board agreed the month-long suspension at its meeting on Wednesday after police flagged up a range of serious concerns about the club, which has a capacity for 370 people.

Yesterday, the board’s convener, Councillor Cathy McEwan, told the Paisley Daily Express: “This is an extremely serious matter and we have had to take decisive action.

“Some of the practices and incidents have given grave cause for concern for public safety.”

Fury Murrys was supplied with hand-held metal detectors by Renfrewshire Crime Prevention Panel a year ago but the board was told that a failure to search people for weapons had led to a series of bloody incidents – including one in which a machete, combat knife and hammer were brought into the club and two men were seriously assaulted.

On a number of occasions, the lack of use of the radio link system means the police have had to rely on information from members of the public and town centre CCTV operators rather than staff at the club.

Cops also raised fears about stewarding practices and the use of CCTV at Fury Murrys.

Councillor McEwan added: “We are all working together to make Renfrewshire a safer place for people to go out and have just launched the festive safety campaign and new Safer Renfrewshire strategy.

“This suspension sends out a clear message that, if licensed premises refuse to work with us to protect the public, we will take action.”

Fury Murrys hit the headlines after a shocking incident in the early hours of Sunday, September 28, this year.

Three people ended up in hospital and, two days later, a man appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court in connection with an attempted murder at the club.

Yesterday, Superintendent Donald McCallum, of Paisley police, said licence holders have a responsibility to make sure they run their premises properly.

He added: “I hope the suspension of Fury Murrys’ licence sends a very clear message to licence holders within Renfrewshire that poor standards of operation will not be tolerated and are likely to result in a sanction.

“Being a licence holder is a major responsibility within the community that requires a lot of time, effort and commitment, with no room for compromise.

“It is essential that licensed premises are safe and well run in order that people there are free to enjoy a positive social experience.”

Nobody at Fury Murrys was available for comment yesterday but the Express understands that management are planning to lodge an appeal against the month-long suspension. This would mean the club being able to keep its doors open through the busy festive season until the appeal is dealt with.