A TOWN centre nightclub will be allowed to re-open under strict conditions, including no under-18s or live sporting events.

Ikonic Nightclub, in Nelson Square has been closed since New Year’s Eve, due to ongoing licensing issues.

An application to have the licence revived was heard yesterday morning.

Police and fire services had been due to oppose a bid by club owner Dean Morton to open the nightclub until 5am and to allow in under 18s for special events.

But after a compromise on a 4.30am curfew, a deal never to allow in under 18s, and additional security measures, they withdrew their objections.

Now the club will re-open on Thursday, April 18. Last entry to the club will be 3.30am.

Last month an under-18s event was cancelled at the last minute, leading to a number of teenagers being stranded in the town centre.

In November, a professional wrestling event was also cancelled under similar circumstances.

The Bolton News understands a licence for the club was granted in 2016 when the club was under different management — trading as Oscar’s Bar.

However, changes to the internal layout of the venue meant the licence no longer matched the premises.

On the occasions that Ikonic was allowed to successfully open, it was operating under Temporary Event Notices (TENs).

According to a Freedom of Information request, between October 27, 2018 and January 20, 2019, eight TENs were granted to the club, with a further two refused and one withdrawn.

An application to vary the premises licence was submitted by licensee Dean Morton on February 11.

On Thursday morning, the application was heard at a licensing sub-committee hearing at Bolton Town Hall.

Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue were both due to object to the approval of the licence.

The fire service said they had inadequate information about fire exits and the police said the granting of the licence under the proposed terms would “undermine the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm.”

However, prior to the hearing the fire service inspected the venue and were satisfied that the relevant changes had been made to make it safe.

Mr Morton additionally agreed to a number of recommendations made by GMP’s licensing officer PC Andy Vernon, including to install electronic ID scanners and metal detectors.

Conditions to allow the staging of live sporting events such as boxing and wrestling, as well as the admission of under 18s for certain events were removed.

Mr Morton said: “I already run the bar and I have done for the past two and a half years. I could probably count on one hand the number of incidents that we’ve had in that time.

“I’ve already demonstrated that I can run a venue with no incidents and I strive to do the same with Ikonic.

“I feel as if I ought to be able to have the chance to prove I can turn Ikonic Nightclub into an big part of Bolton’s night time economy.”

The application was approved by a panel chaired by Cllr Madeline Murray, under six conditions;

  • That no one under the age of 18 be allowed into the club at any time.
  • That drinks be served in polycarbonate or plastic cups and bottles.
  • That last entry is 3.30am.
  • That Drinkaware crew will be available.
  • That any person identified by the electronic ID scanner as being barred from a club, be refused entry.
  • That the club sign up to the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme.

Ikonic has announced it will officially reopen on Thursday April 18. A statement on the club’s official Facebook page read: “We are pleased to announce that we have now been granted our licence and will be opening our doors again on Easter Thursday.

"We are working in partnership with Discoland - Club Events to bring you Discoland - Just Jaxx.

"We look forward to welcoming you all back into Ikonic.”