From the Dover Mercury Thursday, 19 March, 1998.

Police move to close club fail

By Mary Louise

An attempt by police to close down one of Dover's nightclubs has failed despite claims by officers that they had witnessed drug-deals, under-age customers and violence there.

Magistrates renewed the license for NuAge, in Adrian Street, after owner Jimmy Gleeson agreed to a demand that people under 21 carried photo identification.

Undercover officers Mark Matthews and Geraldine Sullivan said that when they visited the club in August they were not asked for ID. PC Matthews said the majority of people in the club were between 16 and 25.

After midnight there was a scuffle during which one man smashed an ashtray over another's head and was swiftly ejected by doormen.

Later the officers noticed a couple sitting by the lavatories. "The man was rolling a cigarette and added a substance which I would describe as cannabis," said PC Matthews.

 No proof

PC Matthews admitted he had no proof that drugs were involved or that anyone present was under-age.

Police licensing officer Sgt Pat Geary said crime reported at NuAge showed a higher level of assault than at "Jay's Wine Bar," "Images" nightclub, "Flotilla and Furkin," "Elephant and Hind," "Britannia," and "New Mogul" put together.

Police also claimed that incidents in NuAge had led to a double shooting in Dover on August 23 and the York Street shooting and stabbing on September 6.

Mr. Gleeson said the majority of incidents reported to the police were "minor squabbles." He had no recollection of anything untoward in the club relating to the shootings and had invariably reported any crime at NuAge to the police.

Anyone whose age was in doubt was turned away and a random search policy was operated to curb people entering with drugs or weapons, it was not feasible to search every customer.

Ian Folnette, for Mr. Gleeson, said there had been a personality clash between Sgt Geary and Mr. Gleeson, who had previously had a cordial relationship with the police.

From the Dover Express, 6 December, 2001.

Club decision due tomorrow.

By SIMON FINLAY

THE future of one of Dover's favourite nightspots is still in the balance after no decision was reached by a council committee last week.

The meeting was postponed until tomorrow, when the owners of Nu-Age will learn the fate or the Adrian Street venue.

Club owner Jim Gleeson was faced with a list of allegations of incidents in and around the premises provided by police when he tried to have the club's licence renewed.

The police say they objected to its renewal because almost 100 calls had been received in little over a year.

These included 23 reports of alleged assaults, 16 of actual bodily harm and a further two of indecent assault.

Police raised objections on the grounds that the neighbours might be affected by disturbances - and their own concerns about being able to attend at certain times.

Officers compiled a dossier of incidents that they felt made the club unsuitable for licence renewal.

It was alleged that in one incident a doorman had grabbed a woman's breasts and in another incident a fight involving 20 youths was reported.

Mr Gleeson, until recently the owner of Dover Athletic Football club, originally applied in September for renewal of the licence, which was then due to expire at the end of October.

Two district council officials observed the premises for three hours one October evening and witnessed a fight involving two men and a woman.

They reported seeing 357 people leave the night club when it closed, although this did not exceed its 500-person limit.