OWNERS of a Bolton nightclub have reassured customers that their safety has never been put at risk.

Charles McGrath, who co-owns Level Nightclub in Nelson Square, admitted charges related to asbestos and health and safety at the venue at Bury Magistrates Court.

The company also entered guilty pleas to the same three charges, which were brought by the Health and Safety Executive.

After the hearing, Mr McGrath told The Bolton News that the club was not open at the time of the offences.

He said: "The owners of Level Nightclub take health and safety matters very seriously.

"Guilty pleas were entered by the company at the magistrates' court and we await sentence.

"At that time, the court will make a determination as to the correct factual basis for sentence.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment in any level of detail at this time.

"Customers should understand that the nightclub is entirely safe and open for business as normal.

"Our customers' safety and wellbeing is our priority.

"I would also like to add that these charges relate to issues during the refurbishment process of the nightclub premises when we were closed to the general public."

The club traded under the name of J2 until it closed in July last year.

Afterwards, Mr McGrath and the club's other co-owner Sam Zegrour spent £700,000 on refurbishing the venue, which re-opened in November after a four-month closure.

All three offences were committed in the first 12 days of August last year, when the venue was closed.

Court records show that both Mr McGrath, of Medlock Road, Failsworth, and UK Night Life Ltd, of Mawdsley Street, Bolton, admitted failing to reduce the spread of asbestos, failing to ensure a suitable asbestos assessment and failing to ensure people were not exposed to health and safety risks.

At last week's hearing, Bury magistrates adjourned the case until August 15 when a sentencing hearing will take place at the same court.